Baguio College of Technology held off a heroic 36-point performance from Justin Cavestany to edge Benguet State University in a wild fourth-quarter thriller, 88-87, in the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League men’s basketball elimination round at the SLU Prince Bernhard Gym on Monday.
The BCT Atoms set the pace early behind balanced scoring from team captain Fruto Luzadas, who finished with a team-high 23 points, and Jeff Bringas, who added 20.
BCT established a 21-13 lead by the end of the first quarter and extended its cushion to 29-18 midway through the second period although BSU Wildcats fought back late in the half to cut into the deficit, The Atoms maintained a 42-36 advantage heading into halftime.
The Wildcats mounted their comeback in the third frame, relentlessly chipping away at BCT’s lead as Cavestany and Aljon Estillore began to catch fire.
BSU outscored the Atoms throughout the period, capping the rally with a late push to claim a 62-61 lead entering the final quarter.
Both teams traded blows in a frenetic fourth quarter that featured five ties and multiple lead changes.
Estillore, who tallied 11 points on the night, opened the quarter with a three-point play to put BSU up 65-61, but Bringas quickly responded with a basket to tie the game at 65.
After Eldemar Santiago, who chipped in 15 points for BCT, restored the lead for the Atoms, Estillore leveled the score at 67 before fouling out with 6:30 remaining.
Cavestany and Ritish Lal, who finished with 17 points, ignited a late push for BSU.
Lal drilled a clutch 3-pointer and completed a three-point play to give the Wildcats an 82-77 lead with 2:18 on the clock. BCT answered immediately, relying on Bringas and Santiago—who converted a crucial steal into a layup—to regain an 86-84 lead with 1:12 left.
Reflecting on BSU’s late defensive intensity, Luzadas noted how the Wildcats elevated their pressure down the stretch.
“Napressure din yung mga teammates. Bale sa last two minutes, nag usap kame then also yung sapcing sa opensa at sa depensa,” said Luzadas.
Zion Pimiliw, who finished with nine points, delivered a huge 3-pointer with 1:04 remaining to put BSU back in front, 87-86.
However, BCT’s Josh Andrei Domingo, who finished with 12 points, came – up with a defensive stop as Adraine Cauton came through with a tough bucket at the 29-second mark to put the Atoms ahead for good, 88-87.
Pimiliw missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer for BSU, with Cauton securing the loose ball before being fouled with just three seconds remaining.
Cauton missed both free throws with Pimiliw grabbing the defensive rebound but time expired. Roderick Osis
