For the second time this season, the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags sent the College of Saint Benilde Blazers back to loss column, taking a 73-61, Thursday evening at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
And with just eight games remaining in their calendar, this win was important to San Sebastian as it lifted their slate to 6-6, forcing a three-way tie with Letran and EAC.
“I guess the boys really want to be here. Hopefully, everybody will step up para hindi kami masyadong mahirapan,” said second-year Golden Stags mentor Egay Macaraya.
Michael Calisaan posted another double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. But after absorbing a 76-65 setback against San Beda last Friday, the Stags realized that they need other players to support Calisaan.
Renzo Navarro complemented Calisaan with 16 points, spiked by five triples. RK Ilagan added 10 markers.
“Si Michael kasi ang victim kaya ang gusto ko, lahat ng player ko maging Calisaan. Gusto ko makita na they also work hard all the time,” expressed Macaraya.
Former DLSU Green Archer Navarro, gained the hot hand in the final frame, helping turn a nine-point third quarter lead into a game-high 18 point lead, 70-52, after a Navarro triple with 3:34 remaining.
“Well, every time sa amin, kung open yung shots titira talaga,” furthered Macaraya as Ian Valdez and Allyn Bulanadi knocked down two triples each as well. “Good thing this time, pumapasok yung tira ni Renzo. Yan yung key namin, any game puwedeng kahit sino ang pumutok.”
Besides the torrid shooting San Sebastian displayed, the Golden Stags also frustrated the Blazers on the defensive end, forcing them to commit 33 turnovers that led to 23 points. Eight of those turnovers came from Clement Leutcheu, who finished the game with a CSB-high 15 points and nine rebounds.
Unique Naboa chipped in 15 markers as well for the 3-11 Blazers.
San Sebastian will break its tie with Letran on Tuesday, September 26 at 2:00pm. Saint Benilde, on the other hand, looks to avoid embarassment when it faces the Mapua Cardinals on Thursday, September 28 at 4:00pm.
The Scores:
SSC-R 73 – Navarro 16, Calisaan 11, Costelo 10, Bulanadi 8, Valdez 8, Baetiong 7, David 5, Ilagan 3, Calma 2, Mercado 2, Gayosa 1, Baytan 0, Capobres 0, Quipse 0.
CSB 61 – Leutcheu 15, Naboa 15, Castor 7, Belgica 5, Domingo 5, San Juan 4, Young 4, Johnson 3, Mercado 2, Dixon 1, Pili 0, Sta. Maria 0.
Quarterscores: 13-10, 30-20, 51-42, 73-61.
