JB Bahio made up for his miscues while Peter Alfaro came up with big plays in the extra period as they powered the San Beda Red Lions past a gritty San Sebastian Stags’ side, 82-79, on Sunday in the 98th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil-EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Their heroics in overtime allowed the Red Lions to redeem themselves from the 25 turnovers they committed throughout the contest as they pulled off their third straight win at third spot.
Alfaro, who only had five points, pushed the Lions out of a 76-all regulation period tie with a triple in the last 3:57 as San Beda stormed to its ninth triumph in 13 matches.
Bahio, who committed the most turnovers in the game with six, drilled in two of his 11-point output in the last five minutes, with his putback in the remaining 2:31 off James Kwekuteye’s miss pushing the Red Lions further ahead, 81-76.
The Stags, who slipped behind in the standings at 5-7, tried to stay within range off Jessie Sumoda’s trey, 79-81, in the final 1:08.
But a split charity from Kwekuteye in the last 15 seconds, followed by a missed triple by Stags’ cager Itchie Altamirano in the next play allowed San Beda to secure the win.
“We have to play strong with the ball. We have to be able to handle pressure and get rebounds,” said Red Lions’ coach Yuri Escueta.
The Stags sent the contest into overtime when Rafael Are knocked in a jumper with seven seconds remaining, 76-all, after hauling the rebound off Kwekuteye’s missed trey.
In the second game, Axel Doromal shot 17 points to lead the Arellano Chiefs to a 62-52 pummelling of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers and hike their slate to 6-8.