The last time the NCAA held games at Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Tony Ynot didn’t even know how to play basketball.
Back in 2006, Ynot was a 6-year-old in Misamis Occidental. He had yet to pick up a basketball, while the Manila sporting complex was then the epicenter of NCAA action.
‘I hadn’t even played basketball yet. I started in 2012-my first sports were volleyball and track and field,’ said Ynot, after helping College of St. Benilde improve to 6-3 in Group B of the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament.
‘I was still in the province then. I was poor and scruffy,’ he added with a laugh upon learning how long it had been since the league last played at Rizal.
Nearly two decades later, the dynamic guard found himself at the center of Benilde’s 75-65 win over defending champion Mapua on Tuesday, in the NCAA’s return to the historic arena.
Ynot didn’t just help the Blazers tighten their grip on the second seed in Group B-he also led them in getting payback against the Cardinals, who swept Benilde in last year’s Finals to claim the Season 100 crown.
Benilde opened the game with a scorching 18-0 run, 11 of which came from Ynot, who finished with 25 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a steal.
Rizal Memorial has long been a launching pad for stars who would go on to flourish in the PBA. Ynot knows he’s still carving out his path, but hopes to return to the same hardwood someday-this time as a pro.
Strong turnout
‘I’m still in college, but maybe if I make it to the pros and get to play here again, I’ll give it my best,’ he said. ‘I’m so happy because this was my first time playing here, and I was the best player. I’m glad I helped the team get the win.’
Blazers coach Charles Tiu also welcomed the league’s return to Rizal-especially with the strong turnout of Benilde supporters from nearby Taft.
‘We can have every game here-we have a lot of fans for once because it’s near our school,’ said Tiu. ‘I don’t mind it being a bit loud. We’re 1-0 here now. I think we can play every game here.’
Allen Liwag added a double-double for Benilde with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Mapua’s Cyrus Cuenco and Earl Sapasap scored 14 and 13, respectively, as the Cardinals dropped to 4-5 in Group A.
Earlier, Lyceum had its own shining moment at Rizal, pulling off a 78-66 upset over San Beda.
Joshua Moralejo led the Pirates with 24 points.