Classy rookie rescues Lions

San Beda’s Davon Potts and Donald Tankoua celebrate during the Red Lions’ thrilling win over the Lyceum Pirates on Tuesday, June 28, 2016, in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

ROOKIE Davon Potts continued to stake his claim as San Beda’s go-to guy when the game is on the line.

The Filipino-American forward presided over a late surge to boost the Red Lions to a tight 91-86 win over the Lyceum Pirates yesterday for their second win in the NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Just when it looked like the Pirates were headed for an upset, the 6-foot-3 transferee from California State strung up seven points to restore order for the Lions, before Donald Tankoua nailed a jumper to put the game beyond Lyceum’s reach.

“He made some big plays,” San Beda coach Jamike Jarin said of Potts, who also fired nine of his 16 points in the final quarter of the 89-85 win over defending champion Letran last Saturday.

The Lions, who pinned a second straight loss on the Pirates, lost almost their entire starting unit from last season to graduation or ineligibility. And Potts has embraced the challenge of taking over in clutch situations the last two games.

Mapua joined San Beda on top with a 78-68 drubbing of St. Benilde, while Letran leaned on Rey Nambatac’s career-best 33 points for its first win of the season at the expense of Emilio Agui-naldo College, 76-72.

Playing heavy minutes despite being down with the flu, reigning MVP Allwell Oraeme tallied 17 points and 21 rebounds for the Cardinals, who are off to their best start since Atoy Co took over as coach three seasons ago.

Guards CJ Isit and Andrew Estrella combined for 27 points as the Cardinals shook off a slow start against a Blazers crew that rode on the hot shooting of rookie Carlo Young who nailed six treys on the way to 20 points.

The scores:

First Game

LETRAN 76—Nambatac 33, Quinto 17, Balanza 7, Sollano 6, Apreku 4, Calvo 4, Balagasay 2, Dela Pena 1, Sario 0, Bernabe 0, Ambohot 0, Vacaro 0.

EAC 72—Laminou 23, King 14, Munsayac 14, Morada 10, Onwubere 4, Pascua 3, Corilla 2, Diego 2, Neri 0, Serrano 0, Guzman 0, Estacio 0, Aguas 0, Mendoza 0.

Quarters: 15-10, 41-34, 62-51, 76-72

Second Game

SAN BEDA 91—Potts 19, Sara 14, Noah 12, Mocon 11, Tankoua 10, Bolick 8, Presbitero 7, Tongco 6, Soberano 2, Navarro 2, Adamos 0, Carlos 0, Optana 0.

LYCEUM 86—Baltazar 24, Nzeusseu 18, Ayaay 12, arata 11, Alanes 9, Serafico 4, Alban 4, Bulawan 2, Soliman 2, Malabanan 0, Magbuhos 0.

Quarters: 20-16, 42-40, 64-64, 91-86

Third Game

MAPUA 78—Oraeme 17, Isit 15, Estrella 12, Orquina 7, Serrano 6, Menina 5, Raflores 4, Laurenz 4, Biteng 3, Bunag 3, Magboo 2, Dela Rosa 0, Eriobu 0.

ST. BENILDE 68—Young 20, Fajarito 12, Domingo 10, Saavedra 8, Sta. Maria 7, Haruna 5, Leutcheu 3, Dizon 2, Castor 1, Pasamante 0, ajarillaga 0, San Juan 0.

Quarters: 14-18, 35-30, 56-43, 78-68