San Beda held off the gritty San Sebastian in overtime, hacking out an 82-79 win in the second round of the NCAA Season 98 men's basketball tournament Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Just when things look hopeful for the Stags, JB Bahio, who had 11 points and 16 rebounds, and Peter Alfaro, who chalked up five points, six rebounds, and four assists, took care of business in the extra period to put the Red Lions back on top.
Jessie Sumoda, who chipped in 10 points along with five rebounds, pumped life for the Stags after drilling a three-pointer from the left wing with exactly a minute remaining but they still trailed at 81-79.
Chaos ensued down the stretch with Kwekuteye and Bahio missing both their attempts even as Rafael Are, who was responsible for taking it to overtime, forcing an awkward drive against the tight defense of Bahio and Gab Cometa.
With 12.3 seconds to go, Kwekuteye, who finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, split his free throw to make it a three-point lead, 82-79, and that proved to be it for San Sebastian in the next possession as Itchie Altamirano's triple from the left wing over the outstretched arms of Bahio turned out to be an airball.
Damie Cuntapay led the Lions, who surged to their third straight win with a 9-4 record, with 16 points and four rebounds while Tony Ynot posted 13 points, six assists, and four rebounds.
The Stags threatened in the payoff period after recovering from their early slump in the first quarter, where the Red Lions dominated early with a 21-11 lead.
San Sebastian, behind the efforts of Rhinwill Yambing, Romel Calahat, and Altamirano, then stepped on the gas in the fourth quarter before cutting an early 15-point deficit down to two points only, 76-74.
It was Are though who forced the overtime on behalf of the Stags when he zoomed coast-to-coast with 3.8 seconds left off a missed jumper from Kwekuteye.
Are then swiped the ball off Bahio during inbound but missed a potential game-winning jumper from the left corner.
Yambing paced the Stags, who sustained a 5-7 slate, with 17 points while Calahat hauled 14 points and 13 rebounds.
The Scores:
SAN BEDA 82 -- Cuntapay 16, Kwekuteye 14, Ynot 13, Bahio 11, Alfaro 5, Andrada 5, Cortez 5, Cometa 4, Sanchez 3, Jopia 2, Visser 2, Payosing 2, Tagala 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 79 -- Yambing 17, Calahat 14, Sumoda 10, Villapando 8, Desoyo 8, Suico 6, Altamirano 5, Are 4, Una 3, Escobido 2, Shanoda 2, Cosari 0, Aguilar 0.
Quarters: 21-11, 43-32, 63-52, 76-76, 82-79.