Alex Desoyo came up with big plays in the dying seconds to carry San Sebastian Staglets to a close 81-80 verdict over the defending champion Malayan Red Robins at the Arena in San Juan.
He converted split charity in the last 6.8 seconds, and stopped Clint Escamis from firing a triple as time expired.The 19-year old Desoyo went on to finish with 24 points, six rebounds and three assists in the 27 minutes he saw action for the Staglets.
“Walang bantay sa kanya. Titira siya ng triple kaya sinabayan ko talaga para mailang,” said Desoyo.
The Staglets, with Damie Cuntapay making 12, and Eric Jabel chipping in 10, kept their flickering Final Four hopes alive with their second consecutive win.
They climbed to a share of fourth position with the Letran Squires, with both toting 10-7 win-loss records.
The Squires were beaten by the San Beda Red Cubs, 63-60.
Warren Bonifacio only had six points for the Red Robins, who kept their grip of the no. 1 seeding with their 13-4 win-loss slate.
Bonifacio fouled out in the last 6.8 seconds when he tried to stop Desoyo from penetrating.
The Staglets then took a two-point edge in the last 6.8 seconds after he canned in one of two freebies, 81-79.
Escamis led the Red Robins with 16 points, and was about to fire a triple as time was about to expire when Desoyo cut in his way, and quite hard.
With Escamis sinking only one charity, the Staglets got away with the win.
They will now have the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas as their hurdle for a playoff slot.
“Muntikan na kami. Natambakan na namin ng bente. Nahabol pa kami. Kailangan ay lahat. Hindi lang isa o dalawa. Lahat ay dapat mag-contribute,” said Staglets coach Melo Banua.