Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 19) – The San Sebastian College Golden Stags outlasted the late comeback of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 70-64, in NCAA Season 97 at the La Salle Greenhills Gym on Tuesday.
JM Calma scored 20 of his total 26 points in the first half and added 11 rebounds in an all-around effort for the Stags.
But Calma’s outstanding offensive outing did not translate to an automatic win for the Egay Macaraya-mentored squad.
After being outscored by JRU in the third canto, San Sebastian made some adjustments in the fourth quarter and got some offensive contributions from Rommel Calahat and Alex Desoyo.
The Stags defense also kept the Heavy Bombers scoreless for almost four minutes in the payoff period as the Recto-based squad tallied its biggest lead of the game, 68-56, after Calahat converted all his two free-throws.
JRU was not ready to surrender as they mounted an 8-0 scoring run late in the game, where six points came from the free-throw and inside baskets of top scorer Jason Celis.
With San Sebastian committing crucial turnovers down the stretch, JRU failed to capitalize in the next possessions after missing their close range buckets.
Desoyo – who finished with 10 points in the contest – sank the dagger triple from the left corner with over a minute remaining in the game to hand the victory to the Stags.
Calahat was also solid for the Stags with 13 points and six rebounds.
With the win, San Sebastian improved to 3-4 and moved to sixth place of the team standings – the last spot needed in the play-in tournament after the elimination round.
Celis’ 21-point production went for naught as JRU failed to follow up its maiden win of the season and fell to the bottom of the team standings with a 1-6 record.
San Sebastian will be back in action on Friday against fellow play-in spot contender College of St. Benilde while JRU will face undefeated defending champions Letran on Saturday.
The Scores:
SAN SEBASTIAN 70 – Calma 26, Calahat 13, Desoyo 10, Villapando 7, Shanoda 6, Abarquez 5, Are 2, Cosari 1, Una 0, Loristo 0, Abat 0, Felebrico 0, Dela Cruz 0.
JRU 64 – Celis 21, Agbong 8, Jungco 7, Delos Santos 6, Dionisio 6, Arenal 4, Bongay 4, Estrella 3, Gonzales G. 3, Macatangay 2, Aguilar 0.
Quarterscores: 25-19, 36-32, 50-51, 70-64
