JOHN Ortuoste of San Sebastian INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – With nothing to lose but pride, the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags steamrolled the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates 82-66, in a no-bearing matchup at the NCAA Seniors Basketball tournament at the San Juan Arena Friday.
San Sebastian had their eyes set for a victory after a 10-game losing streak made their season one miserable affair.
With their horns polished and sharpened, the Stags built a 24-point lead, 71-47, near the end of the third.
Stags head coach Topex Robinson said his team just had to what it had to do.
“I told them to not be bothered with the standings, and just keep doing what we do,” Robinson said.
But the Pirates managed to swing back with a 17-3 run onto the fourth quarter that cut the lead to 10 74-64 with Guy Mbida capping the slashing with a transition layup.
San Sebastian however would not let up, going on an 8-2 sprint to put the boards at 82-66 courtesy of two free throws from Stags wingman CJ Perez.
Robinson had nothing but praise for Perez, saying his reliable forward “really worked on his game.”
“He knows that he has a chip on his shoulder,” Robinson said. “I couldn’t say anything about him but he did a very good job.”
Perez led the stampede for the Stags with 25 points, 20 of which came in the first half, six boards and two steals.
Bradwyn Guinto had 18 points and 10 boards while Jon Ortuoste added 10 points for the Stags which now has a 4-11 record for ninth place.
Jebb Bulawan led the Pirates with 13 points with Mbida adding an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double for Lyceum which now sits at seventh seed with a 6-10 slate.