Leaving behind the memories of last season, RK Ilagan went off in his first game in NCAA Season 95, leading the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags’ 82-51 whipping of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Ilagan, who cost San Sebastian’s Final Four chances last season, was on fire all game long, scoring 25 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field, 5-of-9 from deep.
“I’m just challenging the boys. I guess na-challenge naman yung mga bata, they showed good game tonight,” said San Sebastian head coach Egay Macaraya.
Already holding a 13-point lead entering the second half, San Sebastian did not let up in the third frame as Ilagan fired 13 points during that span. And this included numerous heat checks from deep to leave JRU in the dust.
The Golden Stags would lead by as much as 31 points in the contest.
With the game already out of reach, Macaraya decided to field in Allyn Bulanadi, who is still recovering from a shoulder injury.
“I was not hoping na hindi siya lalaro, pero he was forcing me para maramdaman niya ang NCAA,” said Macaraya as Bulanadi had seven points on 3-of-3 shooting in two minutes of play.
Alvin Capobres had 16 points, six rebounds, and two assists for San Sebastian that saw all but two of its players score a bucket.
No Heavy Bomber scored in double-digits as Marq Dionisio and Stefan Steinl led the way with eight markers each.
This was not the welcome Louie Gonzalez expected in his NCAA return.
San Sebastian will have a week off before facing the Mapua Cardinals on Tuesday, July 16 at 2:00 pm. JRU, on the other hand, faces San Beda on Friday, July 12 at 12:00 pm.
The Scores:
SSC-R 82 – Ilagan 25, Capobres 16, Bulanadi 7, Villapando 6, Desoyo 6, Altamirano 6, Calma 5, Calahat 4, Tero 3, Are 2, Loristo 2, Sumoda 0, Dela Cruz 0.
JRU 51 – Dionisio 8, Steinl 8, Jungco 7, Dela Virgen 6, Aguilar 4, Delos Santos 4, Dela Rosa 3, Bordon 3, Miranda 2, Amores 2, Vasquez 2, Abaoag 2, Arenal 0, Dulalia 0.
Quarterscores: 14-8, 35-22, 61-40, 82-51.
