MANILA — Defending champion San Beda University Red Lions squandered a commanding 21-point fourth-quarter lead but survived a furious comeback by Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers to escape with a 75-71 victory in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
Zed Etulle emerged as San Beda’s late-game savior, sinking four crucial free throws after the Heavy Bombers erased a 67-46 deficit to tie the contest at 71-all with 1:28 remaining.
The narrow escape allowed the Red Lions to improve to a 7-3 win-loss record in Group A, keeping their title defense on track despite a fourth-quarter collapse that nearly cost them the game.
Aldous Torculas provided the steadying presence for San Beda, delivering an all-around performance of 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks and one steal.
“Sinabi ko lang sa teammates ko na we have to stay composed,” said Torculas, who helped the Red Lions withstand JRU’s late offensive surge.
“‘Di pa tapos ‘yong laro sabi ko sa kanila, tapos pinakita lang namin na kaya namin gumawa ng winning plays,” added the former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroon.
San Beda appeared headed for a comfortable victory after carrying a commanding 67-46 advantage into the final quarter.
However, the Heavy Bombers mounted a remarkable comeback, steadily cutting into the deficit behind Sean Salvador and Jalen Garcia.
JRU completed its stunning rally when Salvador buried a three-pointer with 1:28 remaining, leveling the score at 71-all and threatening to pull off one of the tournament’s biggest comeback victories.
Etulle, however, delivered when it mattered most, converting all four of his free throw attempts to rescue the Red Lions from a potentially costly defeat.
He finished with seven points and six rebounds, while John Bismarck Lina contributed 14 points, Dan Marcelo added 13, and Kyle Jamora chipped in 12.
Salvador spearheaded JRU’s offense with 19 points, while Garcia contributed 14 as the Heavy Bombers dropped to an identical 7-3 record in Group A.
Meanwhile, Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights pulled off a dramatic 91-89 victory over San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags behind Johnsherick Estrada’s last-second heroics.
With the game tied at 89-all, Estrada knocked down a step-back midrange jumper with just 0.6 seconds remaining to lift the Knights to their seventh victory in 10 games in Group B.
Estrada finished with 14 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Chad Gammad led Letran’s scoring attack with 23 points.
Buensalida contributed 21 points and six rebounds, while Froilan Reyes added 13 markers as the Knights handed the struggling Golden Stags their 10th consecutive defeat.
San Sebastian remained winless in 10 outings, while Letran improved to a 7-3 record./PN
