MANILA – Rommel Calahat scored on a go-ahead bucket and the San Sebastian College Stags escaped with a 73-71 victory over the Lyceum Pirates in the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball at the San Juan Arena.
With the score tied at 71-all, Calahat drained the marginal basket with 5.2 seconds remaining over the defense of Pirates center Mike Nzeusseu before later stealing the ball on the other side to seal the Stags’ win.
Calahat finished the match with seven points, eight rebounds, an assists, and a steal on Tuesday as the Stags increased its win-loss record to 9-6 – two full games ahead of College of St. Benilde Blazers and Mapua University Cardinals for the fourth spot.
“Malaking bagay ito sa amin dahil we are fighting for our lives. Kahit pangit ‘yung start namin, the boys showed character. We also showed composure. Yung win na ito ay credit to the boys,” said Stags head coach Egay Macaraya.
Allyn Bulanadi topscored with 28 points, including 10 markers, in the fourth period while RK Ilagan added 11 markers. JM Calma hauled down nine boards for the San Sebastian.
Meanwhile, as the Pirates dropped to 12-4 win-loss slate (still at second place), Jaycee Marcelino tallied 21 points, six rebounds and three assists while Nzeusseu had double-double 16 points and 12 rebounds.
In the other game, the Blazers snapped their six-game losing skid with a 62-56 victory over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals. Ilonggo Yankee Haruna tallied 16 points for the Blazers./PN