Lions prey on Altas, secure first semis slot

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda blew a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter of regulation but hung tough enough in overtime to escape with a 78-76 victory over a stubborn Perpetual Help to clinch the first Final Four berth in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City last night.

Rome dela Rosa found an open Arthur dela Cruz for the go-ahead basket with 12.1 seconds and Perpetual Help’s Juneric Baloria missed a potential game-winning triple on the other end, enabling the Red Lions to escape with the victory and hold on to the solo lead with a 12-2 (win-loss) record.

Interestingly, it was the second game-winning play by the same two players, Dela Rosa and dela Cruz, after the duo made the game-winning play in a 71-70 squeaker over St. Benilde in the league opener last June 22.

“Credit that to the player for playing tough in the end,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.

Nigerian Nosa Omorogbe led the Altas with 23 points including a clutch triple late in regulation that helped force the overtime.

Perpetual Help fell to its fourth setback against 11 wins.

Earlier, Jose Morada sizzled in the early going then Jolas Paguia took over in the stretch as Emilio Aguinaldo College turned back Lyceum, 71-63, to stay in the Final Four hunt.

Morada unleashed a 19-point explosion he laced with a game-high four triples, steering the Generals to a double-digit lead in the first half before the burly Paguia went on a free throw shooting spree in the second half to parry a late fightback by the Pirates.

The win evened EAC’s record to 7-7, moving just one and a half games behind the fourth-running San Sebastian (8-5).

“The most important thing is that we all know we still have a chance to get that last berth in the Final Four,” said EAC coach Gerry Esplana.

The Generals, who peppered the Letran Knights with 11 triples in a shock 87-64 rout last week, hit seven of the 20 shots from the long range against the Pirates.

Cameroonian Noube Happi also put in a double-double job for EAC, scoring 13 points and hauling down 10 rebounds while Jan Jamon chipped in 14 points, including a pair of three-pointers.

“We want to run but I keep telling the players if there’s no chance, don’t rush it and we’re committing less mistakes when we do that,” said Esplana.