San Sebastian survived a late-game burst from JR Eustaquio before preserving a pulsating 71-69 win over Smash and set up a championship match with Perpetual Help in the under-19 division of the National Developmental Sports League Basketball Series Wednesday at the Metpark Sports Center.
Team captain JC Ynot scored 21 points, including two pressure-packed free throws in the last 9.5 seconds that served as insurance baskets for the Staglets.
Smash couldn’t get a good shot as Eustaquio’s desperation jumper was picked up by his teammate, Jhayar Vinas, but it only left a second left in the game clock, leaving the Staglets to escape with the win.
San Sebastian won despite getting beaten by Smash in three crucial departments — bench points, 13-26, second-chance points, 8-19, and points from turnovers, 12-22, but the Staglets shot better from the foul line and had four more attempts from the charity stripe (15-11), converting nine of those.
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