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Lions survive tough Stags in OT

By Julius Manicad

07/15/2008

San Beda College survived the toughest game it has played so far, hacking out a nail-biting 84-83 overtime victory over San Sebastian College in a match that would pass for a classic yesterday in the 84th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Like in their previous victories, Pong Escobal carried the Red Lions on his shoulders, drilling a difficult layup with 20.4 seconds left in the extra period to give San Beda its third consecutive victory.

Escobal knocked down 21 points while Nigerian slotman Sam Ekwe had 17 points, 11 rebounds and provided a lot of intimidation against their foes during the crucial stretch where the Stags led by three, 83-80, in the opening minutes of the overtime.

“I have to admit, we struggled in the first half, which is not the characteristic of Red Lions’ basketball,” San Beda mentor Frankie Lim said. “Good thing, our zone defense clicked in the final quarter and overtime. The boys really showed lots of character down the stretch.”

Meanwhile, Philippine Christian University grabbed its first victory since returning from a one-year suspension via a masterful 65-61 conquest of University of Perpetual Help Dalta System in the second game. The Dolphins now had a 1-4 win-loss card.

After trailing by as many as 11 points at the end of the third period, 56-67, the Red Lions sprang back to life as Escobal, Ogie Menor and Kris Taupa made a furious run to turn things around, 67-64, only 12.4 seconds in regulation.

But San Sebastian ’s Jonathan buried a hotly-contested three-pointer with less than a second left to square the count at 67 and drag the game into overtime.

“They simply refused to give up. San Sebastian rallied in overtime, but the guys are not yet ready to lose,” Lim said, referring to Ekwe, who scored a putback followed by a go-ahead layup from Escobal that sealed the victory.

Vastly-improved Jason Ballesteros had 16 points and 15 rebounds while Jimbo Aquino registered 13 points for the Stags, who dropped to a 1-3 slate.