Lions claw back from hole, beat Stags 72-68

MANILA, Philippines – San Beda erased a 16-point fourth quarter lead to turn back upset-conscious San Sebastian, 72-68, and remain atop the heap in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City Monday night.

Skipper Rome dela Rosa fired 18 points including the go-ahead basket with 56 seconds to go that powered the Lions to their 13th victory against two losses, one and a half game ahead of the chasing Letran Knights (11-3).

"Credit that to the boys, they just didn't want to give up," said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.

The Stags, who led by 16 points, 61-46, going into the final period, had a three-point cushion, 68-65, with 1.28 minutes to go but an all too familiar alley-oop play between dela Rosa and Art dela Cruz and a basket by dela Rosa erased that lead in a flash.

Crucial free throws by Baser Amer and Nigerian Ola Adeogun nailed San Sebastian's coffin as the Stags fell to their sixth defeat against eight wins.

It was a win that kept Lyceum, St. Benilde and Arellano U in the Final Four race. A San Sebastian win will eliminate the three outright.