Finding his rhythm late in the game, Lanete had the final say in the nip-and-tuck duel, knocking down back-to-back treys inside the final 1:15 to power the Lions, who spoiled a sterling all-around performance from Stags star Calvin Abueva.
The San Sebastian forward, who finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and four steals, missed a potential game-tying triple at the buzzer, allowing the Lions to claim the top seed for the sixth straight season.
The Lions will be armed with a twice-to-beat edge in their Final Four showdown with fourth-ranked Jose Rizal U, while San Sebastian faces dangerous Letran in the other semifinal pairing.
“We had a hard time,” said Lim. “But we had another big night from Garvo (Lanete).”
Playing before a smaller crowd compared to Wednesday when the Lions roared to a 91-70 win, Lanete scattered 27 points, including 11 in the final period and grabbed five rebounds.
His biggest basket came with 18.3 seconds left when he curled off a screen before nailing the trey that gave the Lions the lead for good, 87-85.
The Lions foiled the Stags on their next play with Jake Pascual blocking Ronald Pascual’s shot from behind.
Unlike last Wednesday where they looked to have yielded by the end of the third period, the Stags displayed more competitive fire this time, erasing a 14-point lead in the second period before building an eight-point cushion heading into the final 11 minutes.
Trailing 21-35 midway in the second period, the Stags slowly chipped at the Lions’ lead before Ian Sangalang put San Sebastian on top with an undergoal stab with 7:55 remaining in the third period.
With Ronald Pascual and Sangalang riding the bench because of foul trouble, Abueva and Lyle Antipuesto kept the Stags afloat by combining for 14 points in the third quarter.
But the Lions roared back, erasing a 57-65 deficit for a 79-75 advantage, thanks to transition points from Rome dela Rosa, who had 10 of his 17 in the final quarter.
“We really took advantage of our running game,” Lim said. “I expected them to make adjustments after the loss (last Wednesday). I’m just happy we got over the elimination round.”
In a fourth quarter to remember, no team led by more than four points with the Stags grabbing the lead for the last time at 85-84 after Abueva, serenaded by MVP chants, canned two free throws with 32 seconds remaining.
San Sebastian coach Topex Robinson found a silver lining even in defeat.
“We played with a lot of heart, a lot of desire,” said Robinson. “I’m not disappointed with the loss because I know we are on the right track. We would rather lose now than lose in the finals. It’s the championship that matters.”
The scores:
SAN BEDA 88—Lanete 27, Dela Rosa 17, A. Semerad 12, Amer 10, Marcelo 8, D. Semerad 4, K. Pascual 4, Caram 3, J. Pascual 2, Villahermosa 1, Sorela 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 85—Abueva 26, Sangalang 12, Dela Cruz 11, Miranda 10, Pascual 10, Antipuesto 9, Del Rio 7, Vitug 0, Ferrer 0, Balucanag 0, Maiquez 0.
Quarters: 19-19, 44-40, 65-62, 88-85