IT has been a shaky start for coach Rob Labagala's coaching career with San Sebastian so far, but if this game is any indication then its future looks oh so bright.
Labagala leaned on his rookies in the clutch and they responded in the best way possible as the Stags took their first win following a pulsating 100-94 win over the Lyceum Pirates in double-overtime on Friday in the NCAA Season 101 Group A action at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Before we were able to get this win, ang hirap ng pinagdaanan namin,” Labagala said.
“Pero, it’s a good win for us kasi it’s not just a positive thing to win, nakakuha din kami ng ganitong klaseng experience as early as now,” he added.
Rookies deliver
Ian Cuajao fired 11 of his 25 points in the two extensions but none bigger than the three-pointer with 20 seconds left in the second overtime -- a dagger three which pushed the Stags to a 98-94 lead.
His fellow rookie in Jhuniel dela Rama seemingly crashed every board in the overtime periods, including the most crucial one in the Pirates' final possession before hitting two clutch free throws to put away the Pirates and improve to 1-2.
Cuajao fired 25 points on seven three pointers while adding five rebounds, five assists and two steals to his name while Dela Rama did a yeoman's job on the boards -- grabbing a season best 23 rebounds, to go along 15 points, three steals and three assists.
The rookie guard out of EAC matched Lyceum's super scorer Ato Barba basket for basket in the overtime periods - responding with threes each time the rejuvenated Barba tried to push the Pirates closer.
And in his misses? Dela Rama was there to clean up after him with the former Letran Squire grabbing 11 offensive boards. For comparison, Lyceum as a whole only had five offensive rebounds.
Sophomore Christian Ricio carried the fight for the Stags in regulation, as he also finished with 25 points while grabbing three steals before fouling out in the first overtime.
Niel Castor added 12 points while Tristian Felebrico hauled down 11 boards to highlight San Sebastian's dominance in the paint, outrebounding Lyceum 72-44.
After averaging just four points per game in the Pirates' first two matches, Barba finally found his touch as he finished with 32 points on 11-21 shooting in a losing effort.
Joshua Moralejo added 19 points while Renz Villegas chipped in 15 in the loss as the Pirates fell to 0-3.
The scores:
SAN SEBASTIAN 100 – Cuajao 25, Ricio 25, Dela Rama 15, Castor 12, Felebrico 8, Lumanag 6, Gabat 6, Nepacena 3, Velasco 0, Cabilla 0, Dimaunahan 0, Are 0
LYCEUM 94 – Barba 32, Moralejo 19, Villegas 15, Versoza 6, Daileg 6, Peñafiel 6, Abregana 6, Montaño 2, Casiño 2, Aurige 0, Aviles 0, Pallingayan 0, Dural 0, Gordon 0
Quarters: 19-27, 41-50, 62-63, 75-75 (reg.), 87-87 (OT), 100-94 (2OT)
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