RC Calimag got his revenge game on University of the Philippines, carrying an eight-man San Beda University team to an 86-81 win and forcing a do-or-die in the Elite Eight round of the 2023 Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup on Friday at Enderun Colleges Gym in Taguig.
Calimag, a second generation Red Lion and a former Fighting Maroon, dropped 41 points on 15-of-25 shooting from the field — 5-of-12 from distance. He also tallied five assists, four rebounds, and two steals in an all-around outing against his former school.
The Red Lions had to dig deep to dodge the firepower of the Fighting Maroons late.
With San Beda holding an 83-73 lead early in the final frame, the trio of Janjan Felicilda, Harold Alarcon, and Sean Alter joined hands, cutting the lead down to 85-81 with 1:11 left.
A costly turnover by Alarcon late stopped UP’s momentum as San Beda forced a win-or-go-home game on Tuesday for the right to face National University, who ousted College of Saint Benilde with a 76-61 victory.
The Final Four will take place on Tuesday at Villar Coliseum in Las Pinas.
Supporting Calimag were Bryan Sajonia and Aljay Alloso, who had 16 points apiece.
UP, who did not have the likes of CJ Cansino, JD Cagulangan, Malick Diouf, Terrence Fortea, and Francis Lopez due to rest, was led by Alter, who produced 13 points and nine rebounds.
Felicilda and Gerry Abadiano got 12 each with the former also dishing out nine dimes. Filoil MVP Alarcon added 11 markers.
The troika of Jake Figueroa, Kenshin Padrones, and Mohamed Diassana power the Bulldogs to the next round with Figueroa finishing with 12 points; Padrones delivering 10 markers; while Diassana grabbing 12 rebounds with six blocks and five points.
Joshua Cajucom and Carlos Sumabat paced the Blazers with 11 points each.
In the other bracket, Ateneo de Manila University advanced to the next round while Mapua University stayed alive.
The Blue Eagles routed Far Eastern University, 74-58, while the Cardinals whipped Emilio Aguinaldo College to the tune of a 94-64 beatdown to force a decider.
Mason Amos was the high point man of Ateneo with 13 points as every Blue Eagle fielded scored in the contest. Andrew Bongo and Chris Koon chipped in eight apiece for the defending UAAP champions.
Meanwhile, Adrian Nocum, Christopher Recto, and Clint Escamis scored 12 apiece for the Cardinals, with Nocum and Recto also combining for 15 boards.
Chiolo Anonuevo was the sole bright spot for FEU with 12 points, four rebounds, three steals, and two assists while Shawn Orgo was the sole Altas player in double-figures with 13 points.
