Lions steal thriller over Blazers

Games tomorrow (The Arena, San Juan)

4 p.m. – Jose Rizal vs Mapua

6 p.m. – Lyceum vs San Beda

MANILA, Philippines -For all the see-sawing battle, it all boiled down to a pulsating endgame with a clutch three-pointer and a sleek one-second alley-oop play highlighting the opening game of NCAA Season 89 won by San Beda in a cliff-hanger at the MOA Arena last night.

With San Beda four seconds away from absorbing a shock defeat after squandering a 15-point margin, the Red Lions efficiently executed a do-or-die alley-oop completed by Art dela Cruz from an inbound pass by Rome dela Rosa and the four-peat-seeking team escaped with 71-70 win over the St. Benilde Blazers.

“Lucky. We were lucky to win this game,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.

The Blazers, who trailed by as many as 15 points in the second quarter, clawed their way back and snatched a 70-69 lead after American rookie Jose Saavedra drained a booming triple with 4.7 seconds remaining. 

With fans and some St. Benilde players already celebrating, Fernandez sued for time and mapped out a play the Lions followed to the letter to steal the win.

“We do those kinds of plays in practice. I’m just happy the boys executed our play perfectly. Art was really our first option,” said Fernandez.

After Dela Cruz made the shot, Fernandez ran straight to their dugout even with 3.6 seconds remaining in the game.

With St. Benilde coach Gabby Velasco having used all their time outs, the Blazers were no longer able to make a decent attempt to salvage the game.

“Before that shot by Dela Cruz, I told the players to let them receive the ball near the mid-line or at least somewhere in the three-point area,” said Velasco.

“But we made a defensive lapse and we suffered the consequence. I hope we learn from this game,” he added.

Dominating the paint, the Lions roared to a 34-19 lead midway in the second quarter and set the pace almost throughout.

But Roberto Bartolo and Mark Romero ignited a St. Benilde fightback allowing the Blazers to move within a point at 67-68 with 1:09 left.

After Baser Amer split his free throws, Saavedra drained a trey from a broken play as the Blazers went ahead, 70-69.

But the Lions won’t be denied of the win.

Interestingly, Fernandez employed the same winning play during Game 1 of NLEX’s first ever D-League championship, setting up an in-bound play from Pamboy Raymundo to Ronald Pascual.

Dela Rosa and Dela Cruz, San Beda’s heroes, happen to be second-generation players whose fathers – Romeo and Art – were Fernandez’ former teammates.

Dela Rosa has made a promise to help Fernandez in his first year at San Beda.

“I know coach has a lot of pressure since he’s coaching San Beda for the first time. I’ve told him he’ll have my support 100 percent,” said dela Rosa, a 22-year-old graduating marketing student.

“I’m thankful to coach for giving me the confidence to take that shot,” said the 21-year-old Dela Cruz, also a marketing student.