In a game between two also-ran teams, one team played with vigor that it hopes will carry over to the next season, while the other just wanted to end the misery of a disappointing season.
The San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags ended their season on a high after diffusing the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 85-58, in the season-ender for both squads, Thursday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Golden Stags finish the second round with a 7-2 record, the second-best second round run in the league.
“We jelled very late but still ang maganda doon is everybody doesn’t want to lose anymore,” first year San Sebastian head coach Egay Macaraya reflected. “Nakikita na ang hardwork and intensity ng mga bata.”
Allyn Bulanadi led four Golden Stags in double-figures with 14 points and seven rebounds. Ryan Costelo filled up the statsheets with 13 points, five rebounds, and six assists, while Michael Calissan added 13 point as well to go along with seven rebounds.
The Heavy Bombers woke up on the wrong side of the bed, failing to work the boards for the entire game. The Stags out-rebounded their opponents by a wide margin in the game, 53 to 24. Moreover, San Sebastian were able to limit gunslinger Teytey Teodoro to just eight points on 3-of-10 shooting for the game.
“We need it. Until now, yung identity ng Baste nung nag-umpisa magtatalo, hindi na makita,” Macaraya added.
JRU never experienced a single taste of the lead in the game, while San Sebastian were able to hold a double-digit lead for the entire game. The margin grew to as high as 32 points, 83-51, with 2:35 remaining in the game after a breakaway layup by Fabian.
Alvin Capobres added 12 points for the Stags.
“Hopefully, we bring it to Season 93. Thank God, natututo na manalo ang San Sebastian,” Macaraya, with optimism, shared about the Season 93 hosts.
For the Heavy Bombers, Paolo Pontejos capped his NCAA career with 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field, 3-of-7 from range. Fellow graduating player Mark Cruz added nine points on 4-of-5 shooting, while fifth year forward Jordan dela Paz added five arkers.
The San Sebastian Golden Stags finish their season tied for sixth place with an 8-10 record, while the JRU Heavy Bombers end their disappointing campaign with a 9-9 slate for solo fifth.
The Scores:
SSC-R (85) – Bulanadi 14, Calisaan 13, Costelo 13, Capobres 12, Fabian 7, Mercado 6, Gayosa 5, David 4, Serajosef 4, Ilagan 3, Baetiong 2, Valdez 1, Calma 1, Quipse 0.
JRU (58) – Pontejos 14, Poutouochi 10, Cruz 9, Teodoro 8, Lasquety 6, Dela Paz 5, Grospe 4, Caballero 1, Dela Virgen 1, Astilla 0, Dada 0, Mendoza 0, Salaveria 0.
Quarterscores: 21-17, 42-29, 63-45, 85-58.
