University of Santo Tomas survived San Beda University in a double overtime thriller, 96-91, in the Group B of the 15th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, Monday afternoon in San Juan City.
UST got their second win in six games, while San Beda is back in the losers column with 1-4.
With 13 seconds left on the clock, Cabanero caught James Kwekuteye at half court for a turnover that led to a Sherwin Concepcion fast-break layup for the dagger.
“So ang una- una yung ano sa amin is yung kumpyansa ng mga bata, so dapat hindi pwede mawala yung kumpyansa ng mga bata. Pagalawa yung depensa, yun talaga, kasi wala naman nanalo na puro opensa, yun yung gusto niya mangyari sa team namin,” said assistant coach Ronald Magtulis
“So big win to noh para sa mga kompyansa rin ng mga bata at para sa amin mga coach, at makita nila yung sistema na pinapasok namin nila ni coach Bal eh epektibo, so dapat sumunod sila habang nandito muna kami,” he added.
Down by three with 25 seconds remaining in the fourth, Nic Cabanero knocked down a huge three to tie the game at 78, good enough to force overtime.
Kean Baclaan did the exact same thing in the decider, hitting a clutch three to tie it at 83-all with 44-ticks left, forcing yet again another extra five minutes.
Cabanero shot the lights out for UST, scoring a game-high 26 points in an efficient 57.9-percent shooting together with seven rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
Baclaan flirted with a triple-double finishing with 22 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists while Concepcion added 15 markers, eight boards, and three dimes.
For San Beda, JB Bahio led his team with 21 points, and 11 rebounds, while James Kwekuteye finished with 14 markers, eight boards, and four dimes.
Next up for UST is Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Wednesday, 11 AM. SBU will face Jose Rizal University the game after at 1 PM.
The Scores:
UST 96 — Cabanero 26, Baclaan 22, Concepcion 15, Mantua 14, Santos 8, Lazarte 5, Garing 3, Crisostomo 2, Herrera 1, M. Pangilinan 0, Escobido 0, Escoto 0.
San Beda 91 — Bahio 21, Kwekuteye 14, Sanchez 14, Cuntapay 10, Cortez 7, Andrada 7, Penuela 5, Alfaro 3, Cometa 3, Ynot 2, Visser 2, Jopia 2, Tagle 1.
Quarterscores: 23-11, 37-33, 56-56, 78-78, 83-83, 96-91.
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The entire 2022 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup will stream LIVE on Smart Sports Facebook page
