San Sebastian College-Recoletos snapped its four-game losing streak against Emilio Aguinaldo College in the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Friday.
Despite the problems that the Golden Stags encountered in past games, big man Jessie Sumoda has been the steady presence for San Sebastian, norming 7.86 points and 4.43 rebounds per game.
Still, Sumoda and San Sebastian made sure to get momentum heading into the second round after dumping EAC, 78-61.
“Yun nga, ‘yung losing streak namin na apat, so kailangan namin makuha tong panalo na ngayon para madala namin sa second round,” said Sumoda, who tallied 10 points, six rebounds, and an assist in the game.
“So, nag-focus kami sa defense namin ‘yun lang naman hanggang head up tumama na din ‘yung mga tira namin, so ayun nakuha namin tong panalo ngayon.”
Pivotal was the 6-foot-5 stretch big man in the skid-snapping victory as he nailed back-to-back threes late in their game against the Generals that proved to be the dagger.
But it’s not just the offense that carried EAC to victory.
San Sebastian held EAC to a horrid 31.5-percent shooting in the game while forcing 25 turnovers that led to 25 points.
“Di pa namin alam yan so far, so ayun lang mag-focus kami sa kung ano sasabihin ni coach [Egay Macaraya] sa amin. Although naman talaga defense ‘yung inu-una namin kasi defense nga puputok lang yan tulad nung fourth quarter namin,” Sumoda shared.
And he hopes that they continue to hold the fort heading into the second round.
“Kumbaga ‘yun nga di pa kami nag sabay-sabay pumutok, then kumo-collapse ‘yung defense namin in the fourth quarter.”
