Despite falling to the league-leading Lyceum Pirates, coach Egay Macaraya lauded the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags’ gallant stand.
“Tuwang tuwa ako sa mga bata. Hindi talaga naggive-up, fight lang talaga ng fight kahit anong mangyayari,” second-year San Sebastian mentor said after the Stags’ 73-78 loss, their second defeat in three outings.
Lyceum led by as much as 11 points, 70-59, with 6:45 left but turnovers and errors by Lyceum gave life to San Sebastian. The Stags though fought back, holding the Pirates scoreless for a two-minute stretch, cutting the lead to just four points with 1:06 left.
“Kulang lang talaga.
“In the last seconds, medyo maganda, pero pumasok yung tira nila [Lyceum]. Yun lang talaga yung mabibigay namin, wala naman akong masasabi sa mga bata because they were playing good defense,” Macaraya furthered.
They also upped their rebounding game tallying 51 rebounds, 26 of them were offensive, that drew further praise from the multi-titled NAASCU champion mentor.
Big man Michael Calisaan tallied his season best this game with 28 points and 12 rebounds but still wasn’t enough to win the game. Calisaan though knows that they still a long journey ahead.
“Gusto ko lang talaga manalo eh dahil galing talo sa Beda kaya gusto ko talaga manalo ngayong third game namin,” the 22-year-old shared in another interview.
“So sana naman okay lang [na talo kami ngayon] kasi may 15 more games pa naman kami.”
San Sebastian will try to be the first team to defend its home court on Thursday, July 27.
By: Danine Cruz
