The San Sebastian Golden Stags finally earned a win against a previously unsolvable foe, and at just the right time
Finding their stride in the third period, the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags took down the Jose Rizal University Bombers, 85-73, in the first phase of the NCAA Season 93 stepladder at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
At the eight-minute mark of the third period, the Stags were on the ropes, seeing their eight-point halftime lead dwindle down to two, 43-41. That was when San Sebastian jammed their foot on the gas peddle.
The Stags sprinted to an 18-4 run to close the fourth, knocking down three triples and finding easy baskets in transition. With a 71-45 lead, San Sebastian head coach Egay Macaraya knew his squad had given it their best effort of the season.
“Pinag-usapan namin na kailangan namin matigilan amg momentum ng JRU before the second half,” said Macaraya. “Kita niyo naman, napagod na si Michael (Calisaan) at ‘yung ibang starters dahil sa pressure. Pero ‘yun ang kailangan namin gawin kaya I’m thankful na lahat ng ginamit ko ngayon.”
“Stags kami kaya kailangan maliksi kami,” he added.
By the fourth period, JRU tried to rally back, as their leading scorer Teytey Teodoro was benched. Jed Mendoza nearly cut the lead down to single digits, hitting charities to bring the Bombers within 10, 83-73. But it was all too little, too late as the game clock had just 52 seconds to spare.
Third year point guard RK Ilagan towed the Stags with 21, 15 of which came off five triples in the first half. Michael Calisaan and Allyn Bulanadi each added 13 markers.
Mendoza finished with 20 points on 6-for-13 shooting, five assists, and four steals. Teodoro, who logged just 17 minutes, punched in 12 points, two rebounds and five assists.
JRU’s graduating players, Ervin Grospe and playing assistant coach Gio Lasquety managed 12 and two points, respectively, in their final outing in blue and gold.
San Sebastian move to the semifinal, where they face the San Beda College Red Lions on November 7 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The Stags were also 0-2 in the elimination round against San Beda.
The Scores:
SSC-R 85 – Ilagan 21, Calisaan 13, Bulanadi 13, David 10, Calma 9, Gayosa 7, Costelo 5, Navarro 3, Baetiong 2, Mercado 2, Capobres 0, Valdez 0
JRU 73 – Mendoza 20, Teodoro 12, Dela Virgen 11, Grospe 11, Poutouochi 8, Abdul Razak 6, Sawat 3, Lasquety 2, Bordon 0
Quarterscores: 12-15, 41-34, 71-45, 85-73
