NCAA: Sison-Walker delivers as Knights overwhelm Blazers

Colegio de San Juan de Letran forward Denzil Sison-Walker against College of Saint Benilde in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.MANILA — Even without Titing Manalili, Colegio de San Juan de Letran delivered its most convincing win of NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball so far.

The Knights raced to an early lead and never looked back, carving out an 83-72 victory over College of Saint Benilde on Tuesday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan behind Denzil Sison-Walker’s all-around performance.

“I just felt like we were everywhere on defense, really giving them problems,” said Sison-Walker, who fueled Letran’s 15-to-3 run late in the opening quarter as the Knights built a lead that swelled to as many as 24 points.

“We were really good in transition, so after forcing [the Blazers] into turnovers, we made them pay for it,” added Sison-Walker, who finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals as Letran forced Saint Benilde into 18 errors.

Justin Cargo also made his presence felt on both ends with 13 points, five steals, three rebounds, and two assists. Aaron Buensalida chipped in 13 points, four rebounds, and a block, while Kevin Santos contributed 10 points and two rebounds.

Santos, however, put a damper on an otherwise dominant win after being ejected for taunting — his second technical foul of the contest — and this dismissal automatically sidelines him for Letran’s next game against San Sebastian College and makes him ineligible for individual awards.

Still, the victory was a welcome one for the Knights, who notched their sixth win in nine games at the end of the crossover phase while dealing the Blazers their second consecutive defeat.

The triumph was also Letran’s first over Saint Benilde since the first round of NCAA Season 100 in 2024.

Jhomel Ancheta paced the Blazers with 12 points, four assists, and three rebounds, while SJ Moore scored nine of his 12 points in the fourth quarter as Saint Benilde trimmed the deficit to 12 in the final 30 seconds.

The late push, however, came far too late as the Blazers absorbed their third loss in nine games.

Letran 83  — Walker 21, Cargo 13, Buensalida 13, Santos 10, Gammad 9, Montecillo 7, Estrada 5, Hugo 4, Reyes 1, Muyuela 0, Diamante 0, Borrero 0, Villanueva 0.

Saint Benilde 72  — Ancheta 12, Moore 12, Podador 9, Jucom 7, Sanchez 6, Gonzaga 6, Torres 4, Galas 4, Baliquig 3, Arciaga 2, Celis 2, Morales 2, Lorenzo 2, Cajucom 1.

Quarterscores: 24-13, 48-35, 67-48, 83-72.