UE squeaks past San Beda to open Pinoyliga Next Man cUP

A thriller was served by UE and San Beda to kick off the Pinoyliga Next Man cUP Saturday (December 3) at the Activate Hoop Arena, with the former squeaking in a close 73-71 win.

In a battle of the U-Belt Team B's, the tandem of Josiah Alcantara and Marc Cabero led the balanced attack of the Red Warriors in repulsing the Red Lion's Team Behold in the five-team tournament.

Alcantara led UE in scoring with 11 on 80% shooting, with Cabero hitting the game-winner with 4 seconds remaining and finishing just two rebounds shy of a double-double after hitting for 10.

UE overcame an early five-point deficit in the first quarter and led by 8 at the half.

San Beda roared back in the third as they only trail by two, with four of its players score four points apiece, including Emman Tagle who topscored with 15.

It was all to play four in the final frame, San Beda were coasting to a 70-67 cushion with 3:28 to go, but UE got the shots and the stops they need when MJ Langit scored on a reverse to take back the lead with 21.3 remaining.

After Kevin Peregrina only got one of his three free throws to tie the game, Cabero recovered Ray Allen Maglupay's deflected effort to score on a putback with four seconds remaining, and UE's defense held firm as Aljay Alloso's last shot clanked off to the left for a huge win.

The scores:

UE 73 - Alcantara 11, Cabero 10, Wilson 7, Tomas 7, Langit 7, Manalang 6, Soriano 6, Cruz 6, Maxie 6, Maglupay 5, De Leon 2, Cabalo 0

SAN BEDA 71 - Tagle 15, Payosing 12, Royo 10, Alloso 8, Jalbuena 7, Peregrina 7, Tagala 3, Jopia 3, Ratuiste 2, Teruel 2, Maghirang 2, Llarena 0, Pelipel 0

Quarter scores: 13-18, 40-32, 54-52, 73-71