San Sebastian forces three-way tie with Letran, Arellano

Not wanting to be left off the NCAA Season 93 Seniors Basketball playoff race, season hosts San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags soundly defeated the University of Perpetual Help DALTA Altas, 80-60, to force a three-way tie for the last Final Four slot, Thursday evening.

San Sebastian ended their elimination round campaign with a 9-9 record, identical to Letran and Arellano. The Golden Stags own a plus-30 quotient, putting them in fourth. They will await the winner of the win-or-go-home tilt between the Knights and the Chiefs.

“I think ito na yung bunga na pinaghirapan ng mga bata. At least nakarating na kami rito. Yung pressure na may chance kami makapasok ng Final Four,” expressed second-year San Sebastian head coach Egay Macaraya.

RK Ilagan shot the lights out in the contest, shooting 8-for-12 from the field for a game-high 23 points. Michael Calisaan added 21 points and 10 rebounds.

“I guess it’s a good learning experience sa mga players. And hopefully it’ll overcome all concerns entering the playoffs,” reflected Macaraya, as San Sebastian’s elimination round campaign was up and down, to say the least.

The duo of Ilagan and Calisaan powered San Sebastian right from the get-go, combining for 14 of San Sebastian’s 22 opening quarter points.

The two continued to hammer the hapless Altas, leading by as much as 25 points, 80-55, late in the final frame.

Perpetual finished their season with a 4-14 record, down to ninth place after making the Final Four a season ago.

GJ Ylagan, Gab Dagangon, Flash Sadiwa, and Kervin Lucente played their final game for the Altas.

Ylagan, who gutted it out as he had a sprained right wrist, to lead Perpetual with 16 points. Sadiwa added 11 markers, while Dagangon finished with just three points.

Prince Eze ended his eye-opening season with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks.

The Scores:

SSC-R 80 – Ilagan 23, Calisaan 21, Bulanadi 9, Calma 6, Costelo 6, Capobres 5, David 4, Navarro 2, Mercado 2, Gayosa 2, Baetiong 0, Valdez 0

UPHSD 60 – Ylagan 16, Eze 12, Sadiwa 11, Coronel 10, Pido 8, Dagangon 3, Tamayo 0, Yuhico 0, Mangalino 0, Clemente 0, Casas 0

Quarterscores: 22-14, 40-28, 58-42, 80-60