Jayson David and the San Sebastian College Recoletos-Golden Stags avenged their heartbreaking 79-75 overtime loss to the Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights last August 15, by making it rain on Tuesday afternoon to pick up a 95-64 win at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
“Sa totoo lang hindi namin inasahan na ganito ka-lopsided but I guess masyadong maaga silang bumigay,” said second-year San Sebastian head coach Egay Macaraya. “Last game kasi naman nag-overtime, so hindi namin ine-expect na ganito ka-lopsided yung game.”
This is San Sebastian’s second straight win, lifting their card to 7-6 — tied with the JRU Heavy Bombers. Moreover, it snapped Letran’s two-game winning streak, dropping them down to fifth with a 6-7 slate.
San Sebastian were already in control right from the get-go, but were able to step on the pedal during the third frame.
The Golden Stags went on a 24-9 surge during the third quarter spiked by five triples.
Demoralized, the Knights started the fourth frame lethargic, committing numerous turnovers while missing even the easiest of buckets. Letran was only able to score from the foul stripe during the first 6:18 of the quarter.
San Sebastian, on the other hand, did not let their guards down. The Golden Stags’ lead would go to as high as 33 points, 87-54, after Kevin Baytan triple with 2:31 left, their 16th three of the contest.
“Well yung team naman, ganito talaga ang buhay namin. We live and die with the three-points. Good thing na pumapasok, hindi naman lahat, but at 42 percent, mataas yan,” Macaraya remarked about his team’s sniping.
David led San Sebastian with 17 points, knocking down three three-pointers in the contest, to go along with five rebounds, three assists, and four steals. Allyn Bulanadi also converted on three triples for 16 markers.
Besides their outside shooting, San Sebastian were also able to force Letran to commit 21 turnovers.
Bong Quinto and Jerrick Balanza were the sole bright spots for Letran, finishing with 14 and 13 points respectively. Rey Nambatac was limited to his season-low of just six points.
San Sebastian look to wield the upset axe on the Lyceum Pirates on Friday, September 29, at 4:00pm. Letran, on the other hand, hope to bounce back when they face the EAC Generals on the same day at 2:00pm.
The Scores:
SSC-R 95 – David 17, Bulanadi 16, Calisaan 13, Gayosa 9, Costelo 6, Navarro 6, Are 6, Capobres 4, Mercado 4, Calma 3, Ilagan 3, Baytan 3, Valdez 3, Baetiong 2, Quipse 0.
CSJL 64 – Quinto 14, Balanza 13, Calvo 7, Mandreza 7, Nambatac 6, Gedaria 4, Taladua 4, Balagasay 3, Vacaro 3, Pascual 2, Caralipio 1, Bernabe 0.
Quarterscores: 25-11, 45-38, 69-47, 95-64.
