Allyn Bulanadi still remembers the time San Sebastian beat San Beda.
It was in the NCAA Season 92 Seniors Basketball Tournament’s second round. And it was a game the lanky 6-foot-3 guard will not forget, since he was in the spotlight.
The San Sebastian lifer put on a hero’s cape and did work down the stretch, scoring nine of the Golden Stags’ last 16 points – including the game-clinching jumper in the game’s dying moments – to steer his team to the 72-71 victory.
“Naka-tsamba pa ‘ko ng buzzer-beater nun,” recalled the 21-year-old swingman.
Unfortunately for the cagers from Recto, though, that proved to be their last conquest of the Red Lions. San Sebastian would not register a victory over the consistent championship contenders in the next few years.
Tuesday, San Sebastian, backed by Valencia City, and San Beda, powered by Metro Pacific, crossed paths anew in the 2019 PBA D-League. And that game became an unforgettable one for the former.
The Golden Harvest showed immense character, coming back from a huge 20-point deficit early and forcing two overtime periods. They eventually walked away from the JSCGO Gym in Cubao with the 94-92 triumph in their bag.
And the incoming senior, just like in 2016, proved to be the bane for the Bedans. He poured a game-high 32 points on a 57.1-percent shooting clip; and also had eight rebounds, five assists, a game-high five steals, and a block in nearly 44 minutes.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, tama na siguro yung talo sa Beda kasi may chance naman tayo eh; kasi marami rin sa kanilang mga beterano na nawala. So yun, laro lang kami,” said an elated Bulanadi. “Inunti-unti namin sila, and defense lang.
“Pagod na pagod na kami lahat pero sabi lang ni coach Egay [Macaraya] yung character na dinevedelop namin, hindi talaga kami nag-give up sa huli. Siguro para talaga sa’min yung laro.”
Beyond ending the agony, Bulanadi said that San Sebastian realized the level they are currently at, following the big win against the reigning three-time NCAA champions.
“Ito yung barometer namin kung hanggang saan kami sa liga. Siyempre champion team yun, so sabi ni coach Egay ‘guys ito yung barometer natin. Dito natin mapapatunayan kung hanggang saan yung laro natin.”
