Final second alley-oop play keys Altas win

University of Perpetual Help pulled off a play for the ages when it counted most.

Prince Eze saved the day for the Altas by banking in a tough alley-oop pass and securing a 78-76 victory over the San Sebastian Stags, 78-76, yesterday in NCAA men’s basketball at the Perpetual Help gym in Las Piñas City.

The 6-foot-11 Nigerian center went airborne and caught one-handed a baseline pass from AJ Coronel and tipped it in against the glass with 3.3 seconds left to help Perpetual snare their third win in five outings for solo fourth.

Eze dominated both ends by finishing with 22 points, collaring 18 rebounds and swatting away 6 shots.

Rookie transferee Edgar Charcos was equally hot with 18 points, scoring on a breakaway layup in the last 27.5 seconds to give the Altas a 76-73 lead.

But with time running out on the Stags’ shot clock, Arjan dela Cruz was left open on the left wing and buried a 3-pointer that tied the game, 76-all, with 3 seconds remaining/

Altas coach Frankie Lim called time and drew the play that sent the homecourt in delirious celebration and SSC to its fifth loss in eight games despite the 21 points and 12 rebounds of Allyn Bulanadi.

SSC broke ahead 20-12 in the first quarter and led by as many as 21 points but suffered a major meltdown in the second half.