San Sebastian College-Recoletos escaped the error-prone Jose Rizal University, 72-68 physical affair to get its fourth win in the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Stags improved to 4-6 while the Heavy Bombers got their second straight loss, 5-4.
After a close-contested game all throughout the contest, Ichie Altamirano gave San Sebastian a one-point 69-68 advantage before entering the final two-minute mark.
With 34-second remaining, William Sy committed an error that was quickly answered by a Rafael Are turnover under the basket which give JRU a chance to take the lead with 26-ticks left.
At the nine-second mark another turnover, this time by Arenal as the ball was poked away by James Una. That led to Reymart Escobido free throws, 71-68.
One last chance for the Heavy Bombers, but John Amores and Jonathan Medina had a miscommunication in an inbound pass. That error caused them yet again another turnover.
“Para talaga sa amin ‘yon and credit to the boys, especially na kulang kami sa tao. Good thing naman we se sustained it until the final,” said the Stags head coach Egay Macaraya.
Also in the payoff period, Rhinwhill Yambing scored eight straight buckets started with a back-to-back triples for the Stags to break the tie, 66-60, with 4:39 left.
Ryan Arenal answered with his own 6-0 blast to get the deadlock at 66. Yambing split his free throw right at the final three-minute mark, followed by a Joshua Guiyab basket, 68-67.
Yambing finished with a game-high 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting together with four rebounds and two steals. Romel Calahat and Ian Suico scored 12 and 10 apiece.
For the Heavy Bombers, Joshua Guiyab had a monster double-double 16 markers and 18 boards and three dimes. Ry Dela Rosa finished with 15 points and an assist.
Both will be back on Sunday. San Sebastian will take on Mapua University at 12:00 NN. Meanwhile, JRU will face Colegio de San Juan de Letran at 3:00 PM.
The Scores:
San Sebastian 72 — Yambing 17, Calahat 12, Suico 10, Altamirano 7, Villapando 7, Are 6, Escobido 5, Una 2, Cosari 2, Concha 2, Sumoda 2, Paglinawan 0, Barroga 0.
JRU 68 — Guiab 16, Dela Rosa 15, Amores 12, Sy 5, Dionisio 5, Arenal 4, Medina 4, Celis 3, Tan 2, Abaoag 2, Gonzales 0, Miranda 0, Villarin 0, De Jesus 0, Joson 0.
Quarterscores: 12-22, 40-34, 53-57, 72-68.
