Even with the return of Senegalese student-athlete Clement Leutcheu, the result was still the same for the winless Blazers.
The San Sebastian College-Recoletos gave the College of Saint Benilde Blazers their 15th loss of the season, 16th carrying over from last year, after a 66-57 win on Thursday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Allyn Bulanadi was the high-point man with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Ryan Costelo made a living from the stripe, converting all six of his attempts, for 10 points.
“The boys played good defense. Yun naman ang bottomline eh. Di kami nag-give up,” said San Sebastian head coach Egay Macaraya.
The Blazers were able to rally back from a dismal first quarter to cut the lead to just three points, 27-24, entering halftime. However, the Stags went on an 11-1 rally that bridged the end of the third quarter to the start of the final frame for a 53-40 lead.
The backcourt duo of JJ Domingo and Franz Pasamante gave Benilde one last rally, while a highlight reverse lay-up by Yankie Haruna cut the lead to just eight, 59-51 with 2:09 remaining. However, Bulanadi drained a corner triple with 1:24 left that stopped the momentum of the still-winless Blazers.
“Kita naman na bumabalik pa rin ang Saint Benilde, pero na-stop pa rin ng mga bata. It’s all about our defense,” Macaraya added.
Leutcheu led the Blazers with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Haruna and Fajarito added 10 markers apiece.
The San Sebastian Stags (7th, 6-10) play their penultimate game of the season on Thursday, September 15, against the EAC Generals (T-8th, 5-10) at 2:00pm. In the main game of that day, the CSB Blazers (10th, 0-15) go up against Mapua Cardinals (4th, 9-5) at 4:00pm.
The Scores:
SSC-R (66) – Bulanadi 17, Costelo 10, David 8, Ilagan 8, Fabian 7, Capobres 5, Calisaan 4, Valdez 4, Calma 2, Quipse 1, Serajosef 0, Baetiong 0, Johnson 0, Mercado 0.
CSB (57) – Leutcheu 11, Haruna 10, Fajarito 10, Pasamante 8, Domingo JJ 6, Dixon 5, Castor 3, Sta. Maria 3, Young 1, Saavedra 0, Domingo JS 0, Belgica 0, Pili 0, Pajarillaga 0.
Quarterscores: 18-9, 27-24, 46-39, 66-57.
