Michael Calisaan in in the midst of his final tour of duty with the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags. But he did not expect to see his team to lose so much players in the off-season.
Gone were the likes of Ryan Costelo, Renzo Navarro, Alfren Gayosa, Jayson David, Alvin Baetiong, and Justine Mercardo. And they needed to accept that fact before they could move on.
“Alam niyo naman yung mga nangyari sa team. Everytime na nagha-huddle kami, we always talk about stepping up,” shared San Sebastian head coach Egay Macaraya.
“The boys understand now na wala na sila, walang tutulong sa amin. Kami lang and magtutulong-tulong.”
After suffering a close 80-85 loss to the Lyceum Pirates last Saturday, the Golden Stags realized that no one will be out there backing them up but themselves. Six days later, they showed what a united San Sebastian front can do when they faced the CSB Blazers.
Leading the way both on and off the court was the 23-year-old Calisaan.
“Nag-usap-usap lang kami sa loob. Every possession talagang dinedepensahan namin. Pinag-uusapan namin kung anong adjustment namin sa loob,” shared Calisaan, who had 18 points, 10 rebounds, and four steals in San Sebastian’s 85-78 win.
“Kasi po mga rookies pa mga kasama namin at kailangan pa namin sila sabihin”.
San Sebastian’s super senior plans to continue to be the one to glue things together for the Golden Stags, as he’s determined to have to have a sweet sendoff after five years of service.
“Ngayong season para sa akin, sobrang tumaas yung responsibilities ko sa team,” he pointed out.
“Marami kaming rookies na kailangan ko i-motivate every game. Every time kailangan ko silang kausapin, bago sila pumasok para malakas ang loob nila pag dating nila sa loob.”
