Shock-troopers carry Red Lions past Altas

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda dug deep from its bench with its starters faltering, and the Red Lions came from behind to turn back the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 62-60, and keep their lofty perch in NCAA Season 99 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena yesterday.

Jomel Puno stood tall and paced the Lions with 12 points, eight of which in the final quarter, to lead his team to a fifth win against two losses, which is good for solo No. 3.

Only Mapua (6-1) and Lyceum of the Philippines University (6-2) are in a better position.

Puno took over late and accounted for San Beda’s last six points including a booming trey with less than three minutes to go.

And itt proved to be the go-ahead basket as the Lions held on with their rock-solid defense to preserve the win and complete the massive comeback from double-digit deficits in the first half.

The heartbroken Altas sputtered to 3-5.

Puno’s emergence made up for San Beda starters’ horrendous efforts as none of them reached double digits.

Jacob Cortez, the team’s best scorer, fired mostly bricks as he missed eight of 11 attempts, including an atrocious 0-of-4 from behind the arc, and finished with six points.