Stags score another upset, ground Cardinals

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

San Sebastian continued to slay giants, this time taking down Mapua, 69-67, for their third straight win in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

“They didn’t give up and they have the heart to win, nakikita natin na gusto nila manalo. Good thing is the character is building up and natututo na kami manalo,” said San Sebastian head coach Egay Macaraya.

Ryan Costelo topped San Sebastian with 20 points and seven assists, while Michael Calisaan chipped in a double-double of 15 markers and 13 boards.

“Nag-payoff na yung hardwork ng players. Ang sarap sa feeling,” said Macaraya.

The Stags fought back from a 64-59 deficit with 2:21 to go with RK Ilagan reclaiming the lead from the Cardinals, 66-64 with a three-pointer with 48.9 seconds left.

Costelo, then, stole the ball from Laurenz Victoria that led to Allyn Bulanadi’s layup to give San Sebastian a four-point cushion, 68-64.

Darell Menina nailed a three to inch Mapua closer, followed by a Costelo split from the charity stripe.

But Allwell Oraeme turned the ball over in the ensuing possession and failed to secure the rebound after Alvin Capobres flubbed his freebies with 3.8 seconds remaining, allowing Michael Calma to secure the offensive board and run the clock.

Macaraya was happy to note the change in mentality for his squad in the second round, where it downed Perpetual Help, San Beda, and now Mapua, Final Four contenders, in succession.

“It’s the will to win and the defense. Lahat sila are happy to play defense. Michael (Calisaan) is a classic example. He was focused too much on his accident and the distraction that comes with it, pero nag-focus sya sa defense and rebound. Good things happen if we play through the distraction,” he said.

San Sebastian improved to 4-9, while Mapua fell to 7-5.

Oraeme paced the Cardinals with 16 points and 21 rebounds, while Menina got 12 markers, three boards, and two assists.

The scores:

SAN SEBASTIAN 69 – Costelo 20, Calisaan 15, Ilagan 12, Bulanadi 8, Capobres 4, Gayosa 3, Mercado 3, Fabian 2, Calma 2, Baetiong 0, David 0, Johnson 0, Quipse 0, Sera Josef 0, Valdez 0.

MAPUA 67 – Oraeme 16, Menina 12, Estrella 9, Victoria 9, Isit 6, Raflores 6, Bunag 4, Eriobu 4, Serrano 1, Biteng 0, Orquina 0.

Quarters: 8-25, 27-38, 50-46, 69-67.