MANILA — San Beda University squandered double-digit leads but recovered in time to overcome a gritty San Sebastian College side in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 98 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City on Wednesday.

SBU zoomed to 25-2 in the opening canto behind a near-perfect shooting performance but the Golden Stags fought back in the second quarter en route to cutting San Beda’s lead to just 10 at the half, 46-36.

It was then that SBU realized what they thought was a one-sided affair slowly turning into a tight ballgame especially when San Sebastian unleashed 21 points in the third canto to pull abreast, 59-57, at the end of the third quarter.

However, both teams were already on penalty and San Beda and San Sebastian had an exchange of charities which eventually pushed the Red Lions ahead in a show of determination in the endgame.

San Beda will next take on the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta on Sunday while San Sebastian will face Lyceum of the Philippines University on Saturday.

Meanwhile, SBU’s squeaky victory against the Stags was followed by a Jose Rizal University (JRU) win over Arellano University (AU), 70-67, which moved the Heavy Bombers up to 2-2 in the tournament’s standings.

JRU faced a dangerous opponent with the Chiefs playing a highly physical game while fighting tooth and nail and were tied at 67-all in the final minutes of the last quarter.

But with 4.8 seconds remaining, the Chiefs inbounded the ball to Cade Flores who attempted a triple with Delos Santos in front of him to tie but missed.

Neil Tolentino then grabbed the offensive board with 1.8 seconds remaining and threw it up inside under heavy defense. He missed again but got another offensive rebound with contact as time expired.

The Chiefs slid to 3-2 with the loss.

The scores:

First Game
San Beda (78)-

Kwekuteye 20, Alfaro 11, Ynot 10, Bahio 10, Cortez 6, Tagala 6, Cometa 4, Jopia 4, Andrada 4, Cuntapay 3, Visser 0.

San Sebastian (71) –

Sumoda 19, Villapando 13, Yambing 13, Desoyo 4, Felebrico 4, Altamirano 3, Calahat 3, Are 3, Shanoda 3, Una 1, Suico 1, Cosari 0, Concha 0.

Quarterscores: 30-11, 46-36, 59-57, 78-71.

Second Game
Jose Rizal (70) –

Guiab 17, Sy 13, Dionisio 12, Delos Santos 10, Miranda 7, Dela Rosa 4, Celis 3, Amores 2, Arenal 2, Medina 0, Villarin 0, Joson 0, De Jesus 0.

Arellano (67) –

Doromal 24, Menina 13, Flores 8, Mallari 7, Tolentino 7, Oliva 6, Abastillas 2, Punzalan 0, Oftana 0, Domingo 0.

Quarterscores: 23-21, 35-36, 45-56, 70-67.