MANILA, Philippines — San Beda showed the benefit of its Lithuanian training in besting Letran, 99-96 in double overtime even as La Salle downed University of the East, 69-62, at the start Saturday of the Fil-Oil Flying V Hanes Pre-season Premier Cup at San Juan Arena.
Six-foot-7 Arnold van Opstal made a putback off an airball by Almond Vosotros before making an emphatic block of Roi Sumang’s close-range shot all in the final minute to help preserve the Archers’ win over the defending champion Warriors.
Opstal wound up with 16 points, six rebounds, two assists and a block for La Salle which rallied from a 53-49 deficit at the start of the fourth quarter.
Back from two weeks of training in the basketball hotbed of the Baltic region, the Red Lions banked on two free throws by Art dela Cruz in the final 19.5 seconds to seal the victory against their fierce NCAA counterpart.
Dela Cruz finished with 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for San Beda which twice had the chance to win it but bungled dying-second offensive plays in regulation and in the first extension. On those two occasions, Kevin Racal scored the game-tying baskets.
Also kicking off their campaign on a high note were Far Eastern which drubbed Mapua, 89-77; and San Sebastian which nipped University of the Philippines, 81-78.
San Beda playmaker Baser Amer led his team with 28 points, seven rebounds and three assists.