College of St. Benilde squandered a fourth-quarter double-digit lead but managed to survive San Sebastian with a pulsating 96-94 overtime victory on Tuesday, Oct. 1, to remain at the helm in NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

The Blazers held their composure in the extra period by putting on the defensive stops in the dying seconds en route to clinching their sixth win against a single loss.

Winston Ynot paced St. Benilde with 23 points including a dagger jumper in the last 1:27 of the overtime period that gave them the crucial lead and momentum heading to the final stretch. He also added eight rebounds and eight assists.

The Blazers appeared headed into a lopsided win after leading by 17, 78-61, at the end of the third period, but the Stags staged an imposing comeback anchored on Raymart Escobido and Paeng Are particularly in the pivotal last minute of the regulation where they combined for six straight points to tie the game at 87.

The Stags attempted to grab the victory in the last 3.3 ticks, but Escobido’s buzzer-beating jumper bounced off the rim.

San Sebastian almost had it in the bag after Escobido’s triple in the last 1:03 of the extra period gave them a 94-92 upperhand -- the team’s first lead since the opening quarter -- but it turned out to be its last stand as Sanchez and Ancheta answered back with back-to-back baskets for St. Benilde and the Stags never recovered.

Allen Liwag unleashed another double-double game of 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Sanchez took charge in the paint by grabbing 10 boards on top of eight points for the Blazers.

San Sebastian absorbed its sixth consecutive defeat against two wins to plummet deeper in the cellar despite Escobido and Are erupting for 29 and 20 points, respectively.

Meanwhile, San Beda drew strength from Jomel Puno as it squeaked past archrival Letran, 66-64.

Puno unleashed a career-high performance of 22 points and 10 rebounds as the Red Lions improved to 4-3 in tie with University of Perpetual Help at fourth place.

San Beda also turned to Bryan Sajonia in the crunch, who rifled a booming triple with 41 ticks to go off an assist from Puno that virtually sealed the win.

Letran fell from second to third place with a 5-3 slate.

The scores:

First Game

ST. BENILDE 96 – Ynot 23, Liwag 17, Sanchez 8, Torres 8, Eusebio 7, Turco 6, Morales 6, Ancheta 5, Cometa 4, Ondoa 4, Caujcom 3, Jarque 3, Sangco 2, Oli 0.

SAN SEBASTIAN 94 – Escobido 29, Are 20, R. Gabat 12, Felebrico 9, Aguilar 9, L. Gabat 4, Ricio 3, Barroga 2, Velasco 2, Suico 2, Lintol 2, Pascual 0, Cruz 0.

Quarters: 31-20; 58-37; 78-61; 87-87 (reg.); 96-94 (OT).

Second Game

San Beda 66 – Puno 22, Celzo 8, Sajonia 8, Songcuya 8, Andrada 8, Payosing 6, Tagle 3, Estacio 3, Gonzales 0, Calimag 0, Tagala 0, Royo 0

Letran 64 – Santos 18, Estrada 16, Cuajao 12, Nunag 7, Montecillo 5, Miller 4, Monje 2, Jumao-As 0, Go 0, Dimaano 0, Baliling 0

Quarterscores: 20-16; 30-32; 49-51; 66-64