San Beda Outlasts Letran in OT Thriller, Advances to NSAC Semifinals

San Beda University outlasted Colegio de San Juan de Letran in a thrilling overtime battle, escaping with an 82-79 victory to advance to the semifinals of the NSAC College Basketball Campus Tour.

Despite missing star point guard Nygel Gonzales, the Red Lions showed no signs of slowing down early as they stormed out of the gates behind the hot shooting of Dan Marcelo.

Marcelo caught fire from deep right away, knocking down his first five three-pointers to help San Beda build an early double-digit advantage while Letran struggled to find its rhythm offensively.

The Knights eventually responded.

Behind Jonathan Manalili and Kevin Santos, Letran slowly erased the deficit and turned the game around in the second half. The Knights even grabbed a seven-point lead as momentum shifted their way.

But every time Letran threatened to pull away, San Beda answered.

Jimuel Reyes delivered several timely three-pointers to keep the Red Lions within striking distance and prevent the Knights from creating separation.

Marcelo finished with a game-high 22 points for San Beda, while Reyes added 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists, along with clutch baskets, including the go-ahead dagger to permanently give the Red Lions the lead. Aaron Estacio chipped in nine points and four assists, while Lawrence Hawkins added five points and seven rebounds.

For Letran, Manalili produced an all-around performance with 16 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists, while Kevin Santos and Jimboy Estrada also scored 16 points each. Aaron Buensalida controlled the boards with 13 rebounds.

The drama peaked in the closing seconds of regulation.

San Beda turned the ball over during an inbound play, allowing Letran to capitalize and tie the game. Manalili then earned a chance to complete a three-point play and potentially steal the victory for the Knights, but he missed the free throw, sending the game into overtime.

Both teams traded clutch baskets in the extra period before Reyes delivered the biggest shot of the night.

With the game tied late in overtime, Reyes buried a crucial three-pointer to put San Beda ahead for good. The Red Lions then came up with the defensive stops they needed, holding Letran scoreless in the closing moments to finally seal the victory.

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