SAN SEBASTIAN’S giant-killing ways continued on Friday after stunning Final Four contender Mapúa, 69-67, for its third straight win in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 92 seniors men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Trailing by as many as 18 in the first quarter, the Stags fought back strong in the second half, displaying their newfound never-say-die character and tireless defense to limit the Cardinals to eight points against the 23 of their own to turn the tide on their side.
Mapúa gave them a scare when they erupted for an onslaught to snatch the lead and take the game by five, 64-59, midway into the final frame.
The Stags came back to life and regained their lost form to recapture the lead, 66-64, with under a minute to play. A brief exchange saw Mapúa’s Darell Menina hitting a triple to cut the lead to 67-68. San Sebastian’s Ryan Costelo was sent to the free-throw line, only to split his charities for a two-point lead.
But a costly turnover by reigning Most Valuable Player Allwell Oraeme spelled the doom for Mapúa, which slid to 7-5 in the team standings.
“We’re not starting to learn to win and I’m happy for the team,” San Sebastian Head Coach Egay Macaraya. “Nag-pay off ‘yung pinakitang hard work ng mga players.”
Costelo led all scorers with 20 points and seven assists, while Michael Calisaan had 15 markers and 13 rebounds for the Stags, who previously beat league heavyweights University of Perpetual Help (71-55) and San Beda College (72-71).
Regille Ilagan added 12 points for San Sebastian, which improved to 4-9.
Oraeme tallied 16 points and 21 boards for the Cardinals, while Menina had 12 markers. The Cardinals committed 27 turnovers against the Stags’ 16.
In the second seniors match, Tey Teodoro towed Jose Rizal University (JRU) to its fourth straight win with a vengeful 68-58 victory over Lyceum to tie Mapúa at the third spot with 7-5 slate each.
Teodoro, who was instrumental in the Heavy Bombers’ 75-68 victory of defending champions Letran on Tuesday was clutch in the end for JRU as he scored 10 of his team-high 21 points to beat the Pirates, who fell to 5-7 record.
“Happy sa fourth straight win namin. Hindi naman ako nawalan ng tiwala sa players ko at sa kapasidad nila,” Heavy Bombers Head Coach Vergel Meneses said.
“Ang sinasabi ko lang sa kanila, dapat sa first round pa lang, ganito na. Kaso nandito na rin, okay na rin kami,” Meneses added.
Ervin Gorospe added 15 markers and five rebounds for JRU, while Abdoulad Poutuouchi contributed 14 points and seven boards for the Heavy Bombers.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza