SAN Sebastian barged into the win column of the NCAA Season 94 after outdueling College of St. Benilde, 85-78, on Friday at The Arena in San Juan.
The veteran Stags squad showed great composure in the endgame as they fended off every attempt from the Blazers to advance after a close game from the get-go.
RK Ilagan made up for missing the final eight minutes in their loss to Lyceum as he drained the dagger three-pointer with 1:35 left in the match to give the Stags an 85-76 lead.
The win allowed the Stags to improve to 1-1 as the Blazers dropped their first game of the season.
“The boys really wanted to win. Nakita naman natin yung intensity nila throughout the game. Credit to Benilde.Yung Benilde ngayon, di naman yung team na katulad nung dati eh,” said head coach Egay Macaraya.
“I know Benilde is improving a lot, and they’re already geared up for the Final Four, kaya wala talaga akong masasabi sa nilaro namin. They really wanted to win,” he added.
Calisaan led the way for the Stags with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and four steals, while Ilagan added 16 points anchored on four three-pointers.
Allyn Bulanadi added 13 points and four boards, JM Calma added 10 points as rookie Arjan Dela Cruz ran the Stags’ offense with 10 assists to go along six points.
Edward Dixon led the way for the Blazers with 12 points.
The scores:
SAN SEBASTIAN 85 – Calisaan 18, Ilagan 16, Bulanadi 13, Calma 10, Capobres 7, Villapando 7, Dela Cruz 6, Are 4, Sumoda 4, Desoyo 0, Valdez 0.
ST. BENILDE 78 – Dixon 12, Haruna 10, Pasturan 9, Gutang 8, Belgica 6, Leutcheu 6, Young 6, Carlos 5, Naboa 5, Velasco 4, Pagulayan 3, Domingo 2, Nayve 2, Barnes 0.
Quarters: 24-27, 44-44, 63-64, 85-78.