Lions rally to nip Altas

Games Wednesday
(Filoil EcoOil Arena)

2 p.m. – AU vs Mapua
4 p.m. – San Sebastian vs Letran

MANILA, Philippines – San Beda dug deep from its bench when its starters faltered as it came from behind to turn back a floundering University of Perpetual Help, 62-60, Tuesday that kept its lofty perch in NCAA Season 99 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Jomel Puno stood tall and paced the Lions with 12 points, eight of which came in the fourth and final quarter that powered his team to a fifth win against two losses, which was good for solo No. 3.

Only Mapua (6-1) and Lyceum of the Philippines University (6-2) are better.

It was also Puno who took over late and accounted for San Beda’s last six points, including a booming trey with less than three minutes to go.

It proved to be the go-ahead basket as the Lions held on with their rock-solid defense to preserve the win and complete the massive comeback from double-digit deficits in the first half.

The heartbroken Altas sputtered to 3-5.

Puno’s emergence made up for San Beda starters’ horrendous efforts as none of them reached double digit.

Jacob Cortez, the team’s best scorer, fired mostly bricks all game as he missed eight of the 11 shots he took, including an atrocious 0-of-4 from behind the arc and finished with six points.

The scores:

San Beda 62 – Puno 12, Alfaro 9, Gonzales 8, Tagle 8, Payosing 7, Cortez 6, Andrada 5, Jopia 4, Visser 3, Gallego 0, Cuntapay 0, Royo 0

UPHSD 60 – Nitura 15, Pagaran 14, Roque 10, Omega 7, Razon 6, Abis 6, Nunez 2, Barcuma 0, Ferreras 0, Boral 0, Orgo 0

Quarterscores: 15-21; 28-39; 47-54; 62-60