MANILA, Philippines -- University of Perpetual Help center Prince Eze was not about to let the Altas get embarrassed by San Sebastian College on their home floor.

First-year Perpetual Help coach Frankie Lim lit into his team at halftime, after the Altas fell behind by as much as 21 points against their visitors

“I told them, ‘Guys, it’s not about the Xs and Os. It’s about your desire to win,” he explained.

Eze and the Altas responded with a huge run in the third quarter to put themselves back in the game, before engaging the Stags in a nip-and-tuck affair in the final frame as the contest went down to the final possession.

With the game tied at 76 with 3.3 seconds left, Lim drew up a play for Eze, who had spent the entire game serving as Perpetual Help’s defensive blanket around the net.

• READ: Frankie Lim designs the play, Prince Eze executes it

Out of a timeout, Eze received a well-timed lob from veteran AJ Coronel and laid in the game-winner with five-tenths of a second to spare.

“I don’t want to lose, whatever it takes,” said the 21-year-old Eze. “I know if I tap the ball, I’m still gonna catch it back.”

Eze finished the game with 22 points, 18 rebounds, and six blocks to earn the NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week award.

He bested CJ Perez of Lyceum of the Philippines University, Robert Bolick of San Beda University, Bong Quinto of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, and Alvin Capobres of San Sebastian for the weekly award.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.