Clint Doliguez kept the foul-troubled San Beda Red Lions in the thick of the fight in the fourth quarter.
The 6’2 transferee from Ateneo de Manila did the unexpected for the Red Lions with his timely baskets in the last three minutes of play.
This helped the Red Lions move out of range and get away with a 76-67 win in their opening-day game with the San Sebastian Stags on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The win allowed the Lions to take the early lead in the start of the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.
“In the fourth quarter, they played good defense, and Clint Doliguez stepped up,” said Red Lions coach Boyet Fernandez. Doliguez had six important points.
His drive with 5:10 left put the score at 64 even. Another penetration by Doliguez in the remaining 3:04 allowed the Lions to move away, 68-62.
Robert Bolick Jr. topscored for 15 points with Javee Mocon. He got into trouble with his fourth foul in the third was sit out by Fernandez until the last nine minutes of the fourth.
Bolick came back after the Stags overtook the Red Lions, 56-51, behind the baskets of Allyn Bulanadi and JM Calma.
The moment he came in, Bolick hit a triple in the final 5:36 as San Beda stayed within range, 53-56. His another basket and two charities in the final two minutes gave San Beda a nine-point cushion, 71-62, with 2:09 left.