Baser Amer. Filoil Flying V Sports Facebook photo
MANILA, Philippines — Baser Amer took over down the stretch as San Beda rallied past La Salle, 66-63, to barge into the semifinals in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup Wednesday at the Arena in San Juan.
Amer scored all of his eight points in the final three minutes to lead the Red Lions’ surge from 10 points down.
“We were down but they don’t want to lose. Our defense stepped up in the fourth quarter,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez, who also said that his squad will be ready for National University in their knockout semis clash on Friday.
“Baser Amer played bad in the first three quarters but when we needed him most, he steps us.”
Amer provided the crucial points — sinking four free throws in the final minute — including a pair with 4.6 ticks remaining.
“Sabi lang nila coach kailangan ko mag-step up kasi nga wala pa akong score tapos ang dami ko pang turnovers,” said Amer, who also had six rebounds and three steals.
The Green Archers led by 10, 63-53, after a basket by Jeron Teng with 3:55 left.
But that turned out to be La Salle’s final basket as San Beda closed the game on a blistering 13-0 run anchored by its suffocating defense.
Almond Vosotros and Jeron Teng led La Salle with 16 and 15 points respectively but neither one got a good look at the basket the moment San Beda tightened up its defense.
Vosotros misfired on his two attempts from three — the last one a deep triple with San Beda up, 64-63, with under 40 seconds left. Teng also missed from the top of the key near the final minute as Rome dela Rosa locked him down.