St. Benilde avoided humiliation by pulling off a 65-61 verdict over Lyceum of the Philippines University on Friday to cap its campaign with a win in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

To sidestep the possibility of becoming the first team to ever lose all their games in two decades, the Blazers fought back from a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to grab their first win in 18 games.

"This is an emotional win not just for me but also the players and the team," said St. Benilde coach Gabby Velasco.

Senegalese Clement Lentcheu came through when needed, firing 12 of his team-best 18 points in the final period.

Somehow, the win was a sendoff for skipper Pons Saavedra, who has completed his eligibility year.

"It’s a very special moment for me because I had to come back and leave my sick mom in the US," said Saavedra, whose mom has brain tumor.

St. Benilde thus avoided becoming the first team to end up with a winless season since Philippine Christian University lost all its 12 outings in 1996.

The Pirates fell to 6-12.

Box scores:

St. Benilde 65 – Leutcheu 18, Dixon 12, Haruna 11, Fajarito 9, Young 6, Pasamante 5, Sta. Maria 2, Domingo JS 2, Castor 0, Domingo JJ 0, Suarez 0, Pajarillaga 0, Belgica 0, Pili 0

Lyceum 61 – Caduyac 11, Baltazar 11, Nzeusseu 10, Alanes 8, Marata 6, Soliman 4, Malabanan 4, Ayaay 2, Bulawan 2, Alban 2, Gabayni 1, Magbuhos 0, Soriano 0, Rubite 0, Serafico 0

Quarterscores: 18-13, 26-30, 41-47, 65-61

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