CEBU, Philippines - Reigning NCAA champion San Beda Red Lions squandered a 20-point lead late in the third period but weathered a spirited endgame resistance by the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras to eke out a nerve-wracking 73-72 win over their CESAFI counterpart at the start of the 2012 Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Final Four yesterday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City, Metro Manila.
The Red Lions overcame a monumental collapse in the windup to frustrate the big-hearted Cebuano visitors and move one win away from advancing into the championship battle of the elite league that will determine who is the best collegiate ballclub in the land.
Leading by only four after the first 10 minutes of play, 23-19, the Red Lions went on a scoring binge in the second canto, 23-10, to close the first half with a commanding 17-point advantage at the break, 46-29. The Red Lions enjoyed their biggest lead at 20 points, 67-47, on a basket by Jake Pascual with 28 seconds left in the third period.
The Cobras, however, showed they are not the PCCL Southern Islands champion for nothing as they launched a courageous fightback in the final quarter to pull within just a hairline, 72-73, on a fastbreak play by Monbert Arong with only 40 seconds left in the contest.
After a boched play by the Red Lions, the Cobras had a chance to complete what could have been a great escape but pointguard Joseph Nalos, perhaps unmindful of the time remaining, dribbled the ball away to the dismay of coach Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba.
The Cobras, thus, will be fighting for dear life as they take on a tougher task against the UAAP champion Ateneo Blue Eagles at 2 pm tomorrow. — EBV (FREEMAN)