The College of Saint Benilde were on cloud nine after a stunning comeback against the Mapua Cardinals last Tuesday. But the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags were a team determined to make a statement, lambasting the Blazers, 101-71, Friday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Besides going up to a 3-3 slate, San Sebastian became the first team this season to break the 100-point barrier. Still, with a two-game winning streak, second-year head coach Egay Macaraya believes that the Golden Stags are still searching for their form.
“Masyado naman overrated yung statement [win],” said Macaraya about the win. “Ang sa amin lang naman is at least maganda yung shooting percentage namin ngayon, ang ganda ng score.”
San Sebastian shot a season-high 54.55 percent from the field, including 10 triples. Moreover, the Golden Stags bench was able to sustain the momentum of their starters, scoring 42 points.
And after a close opening frame, the defense of San Sebastian limited Saint Benilde to just 14 second-quarter points to push the lead to double-digits.
The Golden Stags continued to push the pedal in the final frame, with Michael Calisaan steering the wheel. The fourth-year big man scored 14 points in the final frame, including 12 straight points.
“Ang laki ng binibigay sa amin ng CSB. Ang laki ng three-points namin ngayon. I guess that was the key of the game – pumapasok yung mga three-points namin and we also played good defense to them,” added Macaraya.
The lead would go to as high as 36 points, 96-60, after a Kevin Baytan triple with three minutes remaining.
Alfren Gayosa sparked the Stags, scoring 10 of his 15 points in the first quarter. Allyn Bulanadi chipped in 13 markers.
Saint Benilde, a team that is playing its fourth game in two weeks, were led by rookie Unique Naboa with 17 points. Edward Dixon finished with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Clement Leutcheu added 12 points and nine boards.
After a 24-point outing last Tuesday, JJ Domingo was left scoreless in nine minutes of game time, as he was ejected after being penalized for his second unsportsmanlike foul in the game during the third quarter.
San Sebastian will next face the Letran Knights on Tuesday, August 15, at 4:00pm, while Saint Benilde will have a week-long break before taking on the JRU Heavy Bombers on Friday, August 18, at 4:00pm.
The Scores:
SSC-R 101 – Calisaan 20, Gayosa 15, Bulanadi 13, David 9, Mercado 8, Calma 8, Navarro 7, Baetiong 6, Capobres 5, Ilagan 4, Costelo 3, Baytan 3, Are 0, Quipse 0, Valdez 0.
CSB 71 – Naboa 17, Dixon 15, Leutcheu 12, Pili 8, Sta. Maria 8, San Juan 6, Suarez 3, Castor 2, Domingo 0, Velasco 0
Quarterscores: 28-21, 51-35, 74-53, 101-71/
