Amer rescues Lions from Altas

MANILA, Philippines – Baser Amer came through in the clutch as San Beda survived a spirited fightback by Perpetual Help, 72-65, Saturday to close in on leader Letran in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Amer exploded with a game-high 23 points including an eight-point barrage in one stretch that doused cold water on the Altas' last gasp rally while sending the Lions to their fifth win and sixth overall in seven games.

It was also a win that sent the Mendiola-based dribblers into solo second, half a game behind the idle Knights, who are unscathed in six outings.

"They (Perpetual Help) rallied but the boys stepped up when we needed it most, credit to the boys," said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.

Going into the game with an average winning margin of 19.25 points in their last four games against Arellano U, Emilio Aguinaldo, Mapua and Jose Rizal, the Lions appeared headed to another blowout when they raced to a 36-12 lead early in the second period on a booming Amer triple.

But the Las Pinas-based dribblers, who have become an elite team since the arrival of veteran mentor Aric del Rosario a season ago, slowly but surely clawed their way back from 16 points at end of the half to 13 at end of the third canto to just a point, 57-58, on two foul shots by Nigerian Nosa Omorogbe with 4:41 minutes to go.

After Amer nailed a jumper and rookie Juneric Baloria drained two free throws, Amer sandwiched Omorogbe's lay up with a pair of crucial three-pointers that zapped the last fight out of the Altas.

And Fernandez has nothing to say on his talented guard but praises.

"Baser (Amer) saved the day for us, those shots of his really bailed us out, credit goes to him," said Fernandez.

The loss sent the Altas, who were led by Omorogbe's 16 points and Baloria's 16, from joint second with their conquerors to solo third with a 5-2 (win-loss) record.

In their head-to-head in the last eight seasons, San Beda is now 15-1 over Perpetual Help.

The scores:

First Game

San Beda (72) -- Amer 23, Koga 14, Adeogun 9, Dela Cruz 8, Pascual 6, Ludovice 6, Dela Rosa 6, Abarcar 0, A. Semerad 0, Mendoza 0, Sara 0, D. Semerad 0.

Perpetual (65) -- Omorogbe 21, Baloria 16, Jolangcob 10, Arboleda 7, Alano 6, Bitoy 3, Thompson 2, Dizon 0, Ylagan 0, Elopre 0, Paulino 0.

Quarters: 20-10, 38-22, 52-39, 72-65.