Lions survive Altas in OT, book first semis slot

MANILA, Philippines – San Beda blew a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter of regulation but hung tough enough in overtime to escape with a 78-76 victory over a stubborn Perpetual Help to clinch the first Final Four berth in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City Thursday night.

Rome dela Cruz found an open Arthur dela Cruz for the go-ahead basket with 12.1 seconds and Perpetual Help's Juneric Baloria missed a potential game-winning triple a play later as the Lions held on to the solo lead with a 12-2 (win-loss) record while booking the first set to the semis.

Interestingly, it was the second game-winning play by the same two players, Dela Rosa and Dela Cruz, who are second generation players being sons of former pros Romeo dela Rosa and Art dela Cruz, after the two also made the biggest play in a 71-70 squeaker over St. Benilde in the league opener last June 22.

"Credit that to the player for playing tough in the end," said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.

Nigerian Nosa Omorogbe led the Altas with 23 points, including a clutch triple late in regulation that helped force OT.

Perpetual Help fell to its fourth setback against 11 wins.

The scores

San Beda 78- Amer 23, dela Cruz 16, Dela Rosa 12, Pascual 10, Abarcar 6, Mendoza 3, Ludovice 3, Koga 2, Adeogun 2, Abatayo 2, Semerad 1, Bonsubre 0

Perpetual Help 76- Omorogbe 23, Baloria 16, Arboleda 14, Alano 12, Thompson 5, Bitoy 4, Elopre 2, Dizon 0, Ylagan 0, Bantayan 0, Paulino 0, Jolangcob 0

Quarterscores: 19-9; 39-24; 59-38; 68-68; 78-76