SAN Sebastian roared back from a 10-point deficit in the homestretch to nip host Lyceum, 95-93, and stay perfect in NCAA Season 100 on Wednesday at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Paeng Are, Raymart Escobido, Loren Gabat, and Tristan Felebrico spearheaded the Golden Stags’ late 12-0 charge, as the Pirates sputtered in the endgame of what earlier appeared to be a won ballgame for them.
Baste trailed 83-93 inside the final two minutes before beginning to press Lyceum, forcing them to commit one turnover after the other and enabled it to overcome the double-digit deficit.
Are came close to churning out a triple-double for San Sebastian with 25 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds, Escobido had 23, and Felebrico posted a double-double of 14 points and 15 rebounds.
It was the second straight win for the undersized Golden Stags of coach Arvin Bonleon, who tied St. Benilde atop of the standings.
This, after preseason projections foresaw early struggles for them with a new coach, new system, and new undisputed leader in Are.
Almost, but not quite for Lyceum
The loss spoiled the career-high of John Barba, who finished with 25 points for the Pirates, owners of a 0-2 record.
Making matters worse for the host school is the back injury suffered by JM Bravo in the final 9.6 seconds of the game.
Bravo is already suffering from lower back pain prior to the season, which he aggravated after challenging the corner shot of Gabat before falling hard on the floor. He was later taken out of the venue in a stretcher after contributing 13 points and six rebounds.
Despite losing the 10-point lead, Lyceum still had a chance to turn the game around after Escobido split his charities for a 95-93 lead.
READ: San Sebastian's furious fightback ruins Ricardo's Knights debut
But Mac Guadana missed on a potential game-tying three in the waning seconds, allowing Baste to escape with its second straight come-from-behind win after beating Letran in the same fashion last Sunday.
The scores:
SAN SEBASTIAN 95 – Are 25, Escobido 23, Felebrico 14, Velasco 12, R. Gabat 6, L. Gabat 6, Aguilar 3, Suico 2, Ricio 2, Lintol 2, Pascual 0, Barroga 0, Maliwat 0.
LYCEUM 93 – Barba 25, Bravo 13, Guadana 12, Moralejo 10, Cunanan 8, Montano 7, Daileg 6, Villegas 6, Panelo 5, Gordon 1, Penafiel 0, Aviles 0, Paulo 0.
Quarters: 30-30; 50-50; 74-68; 95-93.
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