In the penultimate game of the elimination rounds, San Sebastian College-Recoletos made quick work of Arellano University in the two also-ran schools’ final game of the NCAA Season 99 Seniors Basketball Tournament as the Stags leaped past the Chiefs 98-89 on Friday at the Filoil Ecooil Centre.
The Stags took control of the game from the jump as they dominated the first quarter with their hot shooting and quick pace, outscoring the Chiefs 31-19 in the first 10 minutes.
Baste prevented the Chiefs from coming close to the lead throughout the rest of the game as it had answers for every run Arellano tried to muster up. Much of their success was buoyed by the strong play of their graduating wingman Romel Calahat, who decimated the Chiefs’ defense both in the paint and along the perimeter.
By the fourth quarter, the Stags entrusted the job of securing the victory to their graduating seniors, whom they fielded for most of the last 10 minutes to send them off with a warm goodbye. Their seniors continued to keep the Chiefs at bay as they ran away with the 98-89 victory.
“First of all, gusto lang namin na ma-enjoy ng mga senior year namin ‘yung last game nila. As you can see, pinatapos talaga namin almost buong fourth quarter doon sila naglaro ‘yung mga seniors namin kasi we just want to give back to them ‘yung feel ng NCAA. We’re glad na nakuha namin ‘yung panalo kasi gusto namin bigyan sila ng magandang exit,” shared assistant coach Juan Miguel Martin.
Calahat finished with a double-double of 24 points and 10 boards in the final NCAA game of his career. Also moving on from the Stags’ herd is Alex Desoyo, who finished with 19 points, three rebounds, and four assists. Rafael Are and Tristan Felebrico added 15 points apiece.
Baste finished the season with a 6-12 record, good for the eighth spot in the standings—a far cry from their hopes of a final four berth at the beginning of the year. The Stags head into the offseason to retool for Season 100.
On the Arellano side, graduating sharpshooter Jade Talampas also had a big game to end his collegiate career as the former San Beda Red Cub tallied 20 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists.
RV Yanes followed up Talampas’ big game with 18 points and nine boards, while Danielle Mallari played out all 40 minutes of the game and dropped 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Jerico Camay and Lars Sunga chipped in with 11 points and 10 points respectively.
The Chiefs ended their season at the very bottom of the standings, resting at a 2-16 record after losing their last eight games of the season. With veterans like Jade Talampas and Danielle Mallari moving on from the school, Arellano is expected to prepare a new-look squad in the offseason.
The Scores:
SSC-R 98- Calahat 24, Desoyo 19, Are 15, Felebrico 15, Shanoda 9, Sumoda 5, Re. Gabat 4, Castor 3, Una 2, Ra. Gabat 2, De Leon 0, Aguilar 0, Chuidian 0
AU 89- Talampas 20, Yanes 18, Mallari 13, Camay 11, Sunga 10, Capulong 7, Abastillas 7, Ongotan 2, Geronimo 1, Villarente 0, Dela Cruz 0, Tan 0, Dayrit 0
Quarterscores: 31-19, 55-41, 76-63, 98-89
