SAN Beda was made to sweat, but it pulled out the win nonetheless.
The Red Lions had to fend off a late charge from Lyceum of the Philippines University before taking the 71-65 victory on Thursday at Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.
It's a much needed victory for the defending champions which boosted their case for a top two finish in the loaded Group A after claiming their fourth straight victory to go up to 9-3.
But San Beda almost lost grip of the win, squandering an 11-point lead with 3:26 left after Khen Caduyac caught fire and Mac Guadaña's three pulled LPU within two, 67-65, with 1:38 left.
Unfortunately for the Pirates, the offense sputtered down the stretch as Renz Villegas and Matthew Rubico flubbed their opportunities late as the Red Lions got away by making their foul shots in the final minute.
"It's just about making winning plays in the end. Today, it was Zed's offensive rebounds, our crucial stops, and our free throws. We needed those in the end," said coach Yuri Escueta of this squeaker.
Daniel Marcelo found his touch from distance, drilling four three-pointers for his 22 points, six assists, and four steals that propped the Mendiola crew back atop the bracket, tied with idle Jose Rizal U and half-a-game ahead of Benilde (8-3).
Aldous Torculas supercharged San Beda's early attack with 12 of his 17 points coming in the first half, which went with nine rebounds, Bismarck Lina missed out on a double-double with his nine points and 14 rebounds, and Etulle also grabbed four offensive boards for his eight rebounds that went with his four points in the endgame.
The win now puts San Beda in a prime position to snag a twice-to-beat advantage, but it still has to hurdle CSB on Tuesday to lock up the spot.
"Whatever happens in the CSB-JRU game, it's something out of our control. So we just want to get a handle of the things that we have control off and focus on that CSB game on the 10th," said Escueta.
It was another heartbreaking defeat for LPU, falling to their third straight and dropping to a 4-8 card.
This keeps the Pirates stuck at fifth in the group as they will face no. 4 Mapua (6-6) with a twice-to-win disadvantage.
Curiously, the two teams finish their eliminations assignment on Monday in a preview of their play-in clash.
Rubico paced the Pirates with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, Jonathan Daileg got 11 points and three boards, and Guadaña scored nine.
The Scores:
SAN BEDA 71 -- Marcelo 22, Torculas 17, Lina 9, Puno 8, Jamora 4, Etulle 4, Ugaddan 3, RC. Calimag 3, Sarigumba 1, Bonzalida 0, Reyes 0, Estacio 0, Jalbuena 0, Efron 0, Hawkins 0.
LPU 65 -- Rubico 14, Daileg 11, Guadaña 9, Ondoa 7, Caduyac 6, Villegas 6, Matienzo 4, Fuentes 2, Peñafiel 3, Manuel 2, Aurigue 0, Panelo 0, Pallingayan 0, Cardinas 0, Nocum 0.
Quarters: 20-9, 31-33, 53-47, 71-65.
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