NCAA: San Sebastian noses out Perpetual Help, 77-76

MANILA, Philippines—Perpetual Help had everything but the buzzer-beating basket to pull off the improbable as San Sebastian dodged a bullet to win, 77-76, Wednesday in the 87th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Altas’ swingman Scottie Thompson missed on an up-and-under move as the ball bounced thrice at the rim before Calvin Abueva secured the rebound as time expired that gave the Stags their 14th straight win against no losses.

Abueva, who finished with another double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds, sank a basket with 1:17 left to put San Sebastian in front for good.

Ronald Pascual carried San Sebastian in the early goings of the game by scoring all but eight of his game-high 27 points in the first half.

“We were overconfident,” said Pascual.

Perpetual Help, despite being at the bottom of the standings, even led 76-75 on a Thompson triple with 1:38 left.

Abueva, this season’s top MVP candidate, would have had the Stags up with a comfortable three-point margin but missed both freebies with 14.8 ticks remaining.