UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta outlasted San Beda in overtime, 75-72, to keep its Final Four hopes afloat in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The Red Lions were able to force a turnover in the final 13.2 seconds, but Justine Sanchez missed an open triple that could have won it for coach Yuri Escueta’s side.

Joey Barcuma then earned a split from the foul line with 1.5 seconds left to seal the victory for the Altas.

It was Perpetual’s first win against San Beda since September 30, 2016, a 87-83 Final Four victory. Since then, Altas have lost 10 in a row against the Red Lions.

The loss – the fourth in 10 games – kept San Beda outside the Final Four range.

With its fifth victory in 11 contests, Perpetual bolstered its hopes of making past the eliminations for the second straight season.

John Abis was big for the Altas with 21 points and nine rebounds. He went 9-of-9 from the free throw line, including four straight that gave Perpetual a 74-70 lead.

Later, Warren Bonifacio had 18 points while Mark Cuenco scored a career-high 16 points as Mapua overcame a sluggish start to repulse Emilio Aguinaldo College, 77-67, for its third win in 12 games.

Bonifacio teamed up with Rence Nocum and Toby Agustin in the Cardinals’ 27-10 third quarter and gain the lead and never looked back.

There were a lot of unsung heroes for the Altas, who need to dig deep as Kim Aurin was out for second straight game for violation of team rules.

Carlo Ferreras added 17 points and eight rebounds while Mark Omega pulled down season-high 22 boards.

JB Bahio had a double-double outing of 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Peter Alfaro also scored 14 points to go with five boards and four assists for the Red Lions.

The Generals, who were led by Nat Cosejo’s 18 points, dropped to a league-worst 1-10 card.

Meanwhile, the match between Jose Rizal University and Arellano University, which was supposed to be played at 12 noon today, has been postponed to a later due to health and safety protocols.

Defending champion Letran and San Sebastian collide in the lone game at 3 p.m.

The scores:

First game

Perpetual (75) — Abis 21, Ferreras 17, Omega 9, Martel 8, Egan 7, Barcuma 7, Razon 4, Nitura 2, Pagaran 0, Boral 0.
San Beda (72) — Alfsto 14, Bahio 14, Andrada 13, Cuntapay 8, Ynot 6, Kwekuteye 5, Cortez 5, Payosing 4, Sanchez 3, Cometa 0, Jopia 0, Visser 0.
Quarterscores: 16-12, 35-28, 50-46, 66-66, 75-72

Second game

Mapua (77) — Bonifacio 18, Cuenco 16, Nocum 11, Agustin 9, Hernandez 8, Pido 6, Soriano 4, Mercado 3, Salenga 2, Garcia 0, Lacap 0, Igliane 0.
EAC (67) — Cosejo 18, Balowa 11, Liwag 9, Maguliano 7, Cosa 7, Luciano 5, Tolentino 4, Bajon 4, Umpad 2, Ad. Doria 0, An. Doria 0, Angeles 0.
Quarterscores: 8-23, 30-43, 57-53, 77-67.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado