College of St. Benilde opened NCAA Season 102 with a statement win, beating defending champion San Beda, 77-68, to immediately put the rest of the league on notice.
The Blazers leaned on Jhommel Ancheta, who finished with 19 points, while Matthew Jucom added 18 to help CSB steady the game when San Beda tried to stay within striking distance. The turning point came late, when the Blazers broke through with a decisive 13-4 run that gave them the separation they needed.
For CSB, the win was more than a strong start. Beating the reigning champions in the opener sends a clear message that the Blazers are not just trying to compete — they are positioning themselves as a serious title threat.
San Beda, meanwhile, showed the challenge of defending a crown without many of the key players who powered last season’s championship run. The Red Lions still had moments, but CSB’s late-game push exposed the adjustment period facing the defending champs.
Letran also opened its campaign on a winning note, defeating Perpetual Help, 84-77, giving the NCAA an early reminder that the race for Season 102 may be tighter, deeper, and more unpredictable than expected.
Image from NCAA