Rookies Ian Cuajao and Jhuniel dela Rama towed San Sebastian College-Recoletos past Lyceum of the Philippines University, 100-94, in double overtime on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Cuajao finished with 25 points, built on three triples, while Dela Rama powered the Golden Stags with 23 rebounds and 15 points.
The Pirates led by as many as 19, 48–29, with four minutes left in the first half, before San Sebastian trimmed the deficit to nine, 50–41, by halftime.
San Sebastian continued to chip away at the lead until Michael Verzosa's free throws gave LPU a 75-73 advantage. However, Andrei Lumanag tied the game at 75 with 1:48 remaining. Both teams failed to convert in the final moments, sending the game into overtime.
In the first overtime, Ralph Gabat put the Stags at the 84-point mark before Ato Barba nailed a triple with a minute left. Cuajao responded with a three-pointer of his own to push San Sebastian ahead, 87–84, but Barba came up clutch again, sinking another triple with seven seconds left to force a second overtime.
In the second extra period, the Stags opened with a 4–0 run, but Renz Villegas' free throws cut into the lead. San Sebastian answered with four more points from the line to extend the margin to 95–89. Jonathan Daileg responded with a three-pointer to make it 95-92 with under two minutes to go, followed by John Barba’s layup with 41 seconds left to bring LPU within one.
Cuajao, however, hit a clutch triple with 20 seconds remaining, and Dela Rama’s free throws off a Villegas foul sealed the win for the Golden Stags.
The win marked the Golden Stags’ first of the season after back-to-back losses to the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA and Arellano University.
LPU, meanwhile, remained winless at 0-3.
Scores:
San Sebastian 100 – Cuajao 25, Ricio 25, Dela Rama 15, Castor 12, Felebrico 8, Lumanag 6, Gabat 6, Nepacena 3, Velasco 0, Cabilla 0, Dimaunahan 0, Are 0.
LPU 94 – Barba 32, Moralejo 19, Villegas 15, Versoza 6, Daileg 6, Peñafiel 6, Abregana 6, Montaño 2, Casiño 2, Aurige 0, Aviles 0, Pallingayan 0, Dural 0, Gordon 0.
Quarters: 19-27, 41-50, 62-63, 75-75 (reg.), 87-87 (OT), 100-94 (2OT).
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
