Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 10) – San Sebastian College Golden Stags stopped the late-game comeback of the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates to finish with an 83-71 win in NCAA Season 97 on Sunday at the La Salle Greenhills Gym.
JM Calma starred for San Sebastian’s second win of the season after finishing with his career-high 23 points and 11 rebounds.
The Stags are now in a four-way tie with Perpetual Help Altas, EAC Generals and Arellano Chiefs in fifth place with a 2-3 slate.
The Egay Macaraya-mentored San Sebastian squad started to dominate in the second canto after routing Lyceum in quarter points, 23-9, behind the solid offensive games of Calma and Rommel Calahat.
The Stags clinched their biggest lead of the contest at 18 points during the third quarter, but the Pirates leaned on Omar Larupay and Enoch Valdez to lessen their deficit.
In the payoff period, Lyceum threatened a huge comeback as Renzo Navarro drained a triple and Valdez powered past defenders for a layup to get themselves behind by six points, 67-73, with over two minutes remaining in the game.
Calma answered back with an inside shot of his own in the next play.
Pirates prolific guard Mac Guadana then completed a fastbreak off a Lyceum steal, while the Stags are setting the ball from backcourt, to again lessen their deficit to six points at 69-75.
San Sebastian standout Kenneth Villapando, who finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds, sank his two free-throws and a crucial three-point shot down the stretch to bring back their lead to double digits, 80-69.
Calahat, who shot 15 points in the game, dropped the Stags’ final field goal with a three from the top of the key that capped their impressive 50% overall shooting percentage.
Macaraya lauded the composure of his players after a tough one-point loss against San Beda in their last game and the death of the father of one of the team’s assistant coaches.
“Everybody is very down during the past few days. At least now, I saw the team’s character down the stretch. The boys did well and they stepped up to the occasion,” Macaraya said in the post-game interview.
Lyceum – who fell down to 1-4 slate – was led by Larupay with 14 points while Valdez finished with 12 markers.
San Sebastian will face Emilio Aguinaldo College in their next game on Wednesday noon, while Lyceum will be back on Easter Sunday against defending champions and unbeaten Letran.
The Scores:
SAN SEBASTIAN 83 – Calma 23, Calahat 15, Villapando 12, Sumoda 8, Una 8, Dela Cruz 5, Gabat 4, Shanoda 4, Felebrico 2, Cosari 2, Desoyo 0, Abarquez 0
LYCEUM 71 – Larupay 14, Valdez 12, Navarro 11, Guinto 8, Bravo 7, Guadaña 7, Remulla 4, Cunanan 2, Garro 2, Umali 2, Barba 2
Quarterscores: 23-20, 46-29, 61-51, 83-71
