JM Calma took charge late in the game as San Sebastian College-Recoletos doused Jielo Razon and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, taking a 63-58 win in the NCAA Season 97 seniors basketball tournament, Friday at La Salle Greenhills’ St. Benilde Gym in Mandaluyong City.
The senior big man scored a triple with 2:33 left, 57-55, to give the Golden Stags the lead for good after trailing for most of the game.
The Pampanga-native then forced Kim Aurin to the baseline, resulting in a turnover for the Altas with 1:52 remaining in the clock.
From there, San Sebastian went on a 6-0 tear with Rommel Calahat, Calma, and Ken Villapando providing the baskets inside the paint for their biggest lead, 63-55, with just 21.1 seconds left to play and secure their first win.
“Sabi lang po niya [referring to head coach Egay Macaraya] po sa ‘min na mag-relax lang daw kami,” Calahat shared. “Mababa lang po namin yung bola ng dahan-dahan at walang kakabahan sa ‘min, tsaka go hard lang po sa basket.”
Calahat added, “Siyempre po sobrang saya na nakuha namin yung panalo ngayon. Tsaka sa susunod na game mas magpe-prepare pa po talaga kami.”
Calma finished with 14 points, nine rebounds, two blocks, and one steal.
Calahat paced the Stags’ scoring with 17 markers to go along with eight rebounds and four assists, while Ichie Altamirano added 12 points, three rebounds, an assist, and a rebound.
Jielo Razon rose high for Perpetual with a career-high 22 points on a 50-percent shooting clip from the three-point arc. He also added six rebounds and two assists. Kim Aurin was limited to seven points on 27.3-percent shooting.
Both squads are now knotted with 1-1 slates.
San Sebastian (1-1) will go for its second straight win when they face Mapua University (1-0) on April 5. also at 12 NN. On the other hand, Perpetual (1-1) will look to bounce back against the defending champions Colegio de San Juan de Letran (2-0) on April 3 also at 12 NN.
The Scores:
SSC-R 63 — Calahat 17, Calma 14, Altamirano 12, Villapando 6, Sumoda 5, Una 4, Desoyo 2, Abarquez 2, Are 1, Loristo 0, Re. Gabat 0, Felebrico 0, Cosari 0.
UPHSD 58 –– Razon 22, Aurin 7, Abis 7, Barcuma 6, Egan 4, Omega 4, Ferreras 4, Martel 2, Sevilla 2, Nunez 0, Cuevas 0, Pagaran 0.
Quarterscores: 6-8, 23-28, 44-47, 63-58.
