Bulldogs turn back Knights, face Lions in Final 4

Games tomorrow

2 p.m. – UST vs UE

4 p.m. – San Beda vs NU

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning NCAA three-peat champion San Beda and defending titlist National U posted a pair of come-from-behind victories to arrange an interesting Final Four showdown in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Baser Amer hit clutch free throws to cap a stirring 13-0 windup as the Red Lions erased a 10-point deficit in the final four minutes to pound out a 66-63 victory over the La Salle Archers and advance to the semis against the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs earlier survived a big scare from the Letran Knights and escaped with a 69-67 victory.

Down 53-63 with 3.50 minutes to go, the Lions scored 13 unanswered points to close out the game with Amer leading the attack with eight points, including four free throws, to snatch the dramatic win.

“Baser (Amer) shows he’s a great point guard because he turned it on by stepping up in the fourth quarter after playing bad in the first three,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.

While Amer struggled in the early going, Art dela Cruz, Rome Dela Rosa and Ryusei Koga kept San Beda in the game before finishing with 14, 12 and 11 points, respectively. 

NU, meanwhile, drew a combined 41-point output from reigning two-time UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks, Jr., Gelo Alolino and Jeth Rosario but it was Cameroonian behemoth Alfred Aroga who took over in the final period, pouring in seven of his nine points in the stretch.

It was a heartbreaking loss for the Knights, who appeared on their way for a big upset win after getting a crack following Ateneo’s sudden withdrawal from the tournament over the weekend.

“Letran played tough, shot well and made us uncomfortable the whole game,” said NU mentor Eric Altamirano. “But I like the poise of the players in the end by not giving up when we were trailing.”

Almond Vosotros and Jeron Teng paced the Archers with 16 and 15 points, respectively, but the duo faltered in the closing minutes, enabling the Lions to strike back behind Baser.