NCAA: Resurgent Stags take down Red Lions

San Sebastian’s Aly Bulanadi. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Riding high after taking down a Final Four contender four days ago, San Sebastian pulled off the biggest upset yet with a 72-71 win over league-leading San Beda in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Allyn Bulanadi completed the Stags’ comeback from 14 points down in the fourth quarter, going coast-to-coast off two missed free throw by Red Lions’ skipper Dan Zara and draining the game-winning jumper with 3.8 seconds left.

“Gusto ko makabawi kasi galing ako sa error na ‘yun. Mahigpit na po yung depensa at wala na rin oras, dineretso ko na lang,” said Bulanadi, who turned the ball over with 28 ticks remaining.

“Siguro adrenaline rush na lang kanina yung lumabas. Inisip ko na lang din na para sa team ang tira na yun.”

The third-year wingman scored nine of his game-high 16 points to lead San Sebastian (3-9), which notched its second straight victory after a 71-55 rout of Perpetual Help last Friday.

Javee Mocon had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Red Lions, who played their first game without star center Donald Tankoua.

Tankoua is expected to miss the rest of the season due to an ACL injury.

Robert Bolick still had a chance to salvage a win for San Beda in the game’s final possession but he dribbled the ball off his foot as he rushed towards the other end of the floor, marring what could’ve been a solid outing for the former La Salle guard, who had nine points and 13 rebounds.