MANILA, Philippines—STI College survived gritty Our Lady of Fatima University, 73-64, in extra period even as New Era dealtUniversity of Manila its first defeat, 102-99, in double overtime in Friday’s thrilling double-header of the National Athletics Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (Naascu) men’s basketball at the UM Gym.
Six-foot-four power forward Ramel Pepito sprayed seven of his game-high 32 points in overtime, including the key putback off his own miss in the last 20 seconds, to lead the Hunters to their third win in five games.
The third-year student from Bukidnon also grabbed 18 rebounds.
The Hawks crashed back to earth with their first loss after a blazing 4-0 start.
New Era coach Adonis Tierra also got inspired games from 6-foot-3 guard Mark Lopez, who contributed 23 points and 13 rebounds, and 6-foot-2 Josue Quintal, who added 19 points.
The five-time champion Hawks were trailing most of the time and forced extra period when Jeff Viernes hit a fallaway jumper for 80-all with 2.5 seconds left.
Earlier, Cameroonian Henri Betaneye accounted for 15 points, 13 rebounds and six block to lead the Olympians to their fourth win in five games.
Betaneye is a 6-foot-7 natural guard who plays center for the 2006 champions.
STI’s Jerrald Bautista scored to give the Olympians a 62-60 lead with 5.5 seconds to go in the fourth quarter. But Fatima’s 6-foot-5 Indonesian Relly Putra hit an undergoal stab with eight-tenths of a second left to force overtime.
The scores:
First Game
NEW ERA 102—Pepito 32, Lopez 23, Quintal 19, Santos 16, Cadelinas 5, Acuna 4, Tengco 2, Talastas 1, Sevilla 0.
UM 99—Colina 32, Torres 20, Viernes 12, Pateno 12, Manuel 6, Ibay 4, Ancheta 3, Patricio 2, Rabalo 0, Sanguyo 0.
Quarters: 20-15, 40-37, 59-60, 80-80, 89-89 (1OT), 102-99 (2OT)
Second Game
STI 73—Betaneye 15, Gabo 14, Melano 11, Bautista 9, Ihalas 8, Po 7, Ablaza 5, Morales 2, Moreno 2, Sabellina 0.
FATIMA 64—Jacinto 17, Basco 11, Valdevilla 8, Putra 7, Benavidez 6, Joronacion 6, Marquez 5, Codilla 2, Cunanan 2, Panes 0, Guidaben 0, Aque 0.
Quarters: 18-12, 37-25, 51-37, 62-62, 73-64 (OT)
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