The San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags notched its first preseason win in the Coach Egay Macaraya-era in a 59-46 win over the College of Saint Benilde Blazers Saturday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Golden Stags played relentless pressure defense all throughout the game that limited the Blazers to a horrendous 19 points in the first half, nine in the second quarter, on just 21% shooting. Rene Sta. Maria scored almost a third of his team’s output wit six markers. However, the Stags shot 41% from the field powered by Michael Calisaan’s 12 points to give San Sebastian a 33-19 lead by halftime.
“Just like all my teams, defense talaga ang focus namin,” Macaraya said about the team’s defense. “Especially with this team in Baste na alam naman natin na undersized.”
The Blazers were able to cut the lead to just six, 39-33, with a minute to go in the third frame but rookie Alfren Gayosa was able to gain the hot hand. Gayosa went on a personal 7-0 rally, including a rare four point play, to extend his team’s lead to double-digits once more, 46-33, to enter the final quarter.
In the final frame, San Sebastian relentlessly crashed the boards over the taller Benilde frontline to help extend their lead to a game-high 16 points, 54-38, midway through the quarter. Baskets by Yankee Haruna and Gerard Castor proved to be too late while Calisaan put the finishing touches for Baste to gain a 59-46 win.
“I guess I wanted to give my players the experience of pressuring the ball. Hopefully, ma-sustain namin dahil mahirap din mag-press all the way,” Macaraya added.
Calisaan led all scorers with 15 points on 5/16 shooting from the field, including 1/1 from three-point country, in just 21 minutes of game time. Gayosa added 14 markers that included three triples and five free throws in the win.
For Benilde, Sta Maria and Haruna scored nine points each. Edward Dixon grabbed seven boards for the Blazers.
“I give credit to the boys, they did a good job today. Hopefully, we get a good start and matuto na rin kami manalo,” the multi-time NAASCU champion head coach closed.
The Golden Stags (A, 1-1) will next face the National University Bulldogs on Wednesday, May 11 at 1:30pm. On the other hand, the Benilde Blazers (A, 0-2) look for their first win on the same day against the Arellano University Chiefs at 11:15am.
The Scores:
SSC-R (59) – Calisaan 15, Gayosa 14, Valdez 9, Fabian 8, Mercado 5, Costelo 3, Ilagan 3, Bulanadi 2, David 0, Baetiong 0, Miguel 0, Capobres 0, Serajosef 0, Johnson 0.
CSB (46) – Sta Maria 9, Haruna 9, Leutcheu 7, Fajarito 6, Dixon 6, Castor 4, Belgica 3, Domingo JJ 2, Pasamante 0, San Juan 0, Young 0, Norberte 0, Pili 0 Pajarillaga 0, Domingo JS 0.
Quarterscores: 19-10, 33-19, 46-33, 59-46.
