The San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags fended off an end-game collapse against the National University Bulldogs to take their fourth consecutive victory, 86-82, Monday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The win puts the Stags in second place in Group B of the 2017 FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup with 4-1 record. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs slipped to 3-3 on their third straight loss.
“It’s good preparation that we’re starting to win. Ibig sabihin maganda tinatakbo ng team. Hopefully lang ma-sustain, kasi pagod na rin yung mga bata,” said second-year San Sebastian head coach Egay Macaraya.
Micheal Calisaan came up with an almost double-double output with 22 points and nine rebounds. Ryan Costelo pitched in 16 markers and five assists.
The Golden Stags restored their advantage during the final frame, after Jjay Alejandro and the rest of the Bulldogs took it at the half.
Calisaan led his pack in a huge 19-4 run from the third quarter extending to the fourth quarter.
Before the run, the Bulldogs had posted their biggest advantage at 12 points off back-to-back baskets from Matt Salem and Jordan Bartlett. However, a 13-2 run highlighted by two triples RK Ylagan and Jason David put the Stags up with a slim one-point lead heading into the payoff period.
Transition baskets pushed San Sebastian’s lead to five, before consecutive treys ending with one off Jason David sent the Recto-based squad into their biggest lead at 12, 79-67.
NU got to within five with two free throws from Dave Wilson Yu, at 86-81, but defensive stops sealed the win for the Stags.
“Yung lapses kanina hindi sana mangyayari if I have a veteran team. Yung mga batang ‘to, bago ko lang nahawakan. Napagod na rin sila,” Macaraya admitted.
San Sebastian, a team that knocked down 12 triples in the game, forced NU to commit 26 turnovers that led to 19 points.
Alejandro steered the Bulldogs with 20 points and four assists, while Issa Gaye finished with 14 markers and eight rebounds.
San Sebastian will next battle the Arellano Chiefs (0-3) on Wednesday, May 31, at 11:15 am. Meanwhile, National U will try to revive their campaign against the Saint Benilde Blazers (1-5) on Sunday, June 11, at 1:30 pm.
The Scores:
SSC-R (86) – Calisaan 22, Costelo 16, David 14, Capobres 9, Calma 7, Valdez 6, Fabian 5, Ilagan 3, Bulanadi 2, Sangalang 2, Navarro 0, Gayosa 0, Baetiong 0, Meraco 0, Are 0.
NU (82) – Alejandro 20, Gaye 14, Bartlett 12, Salem 8, Diputado 8, Yu 7, Morido 7, Tibayan 4, Lastimosa 2, Abatayo 0, Mosqueda 0, Aquino 0, Rangel 0, Go 0, Galvelo 0.
Quarterscores: 25-21, 39-36, 60-61, 86-82.
