San Sebastian repulses St. Benilde in battle of also-rans

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Fighting for pride, San Sebastian clipped St. Benilde, 66-57 in a battle of also-rans Thursday in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Allyn Bulanadi secured the victory with a slam in the endgame and finished with 17 points and two rebounds for the Golden Stags.

Ryan Costelo also got 10 markers and five boards, while Jayson David had eight for San Sebastian (6-10).

“The boys played good defense. Yun naman ang bottomline eh. Di kami nag-give up,” said coach Egay Macaraya. “Kita naman na bumabalik pa rin ang St. Benilde, pero na-stop pa rin ng mga bata. It’s all about our defense.”

The Golden Stags unleashed an 11-1 tear to turn a 42-39 lead late in the third to a 53-40 advantage midway in the fourth.

The Blazers, though, would roar back and cut the lead to seven, 62-55, with 44.3 left thanks to a pair of freebies from Louie Pasamante, but Bulanadi and RK Ilagan sealed the win for San Sebastian in the clutch.

Clement Leutcheu led St. Benilde with a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Christian Fajarito also added 10 markers, eight boards, and five blocks, while Yankie Haruna had 10 points and five rebounds.

Winless in 15 games, the Blazers are now the worst team in NCAA history.

The Scores:

SAN SEBASTIAN 66 – Bulanadi 17, Costelo 10, David 8, Ilagan 8, Fabian 7, Capobres 5, Calisaan 4, Valdez 4, Calma 2, Quipse 1, Sera Josef 0, Baetiong 0, Johnson 0, Mercado 0.
ST. BENILDE 57 – Leutcheu 11, Haruna 10, Fajarito 10, Pasamante 8, JJ Domingo 6, Dixon 5, Castor 3, Sta. Maria 3, Young 1, Saavedra 0, JS Domingo 0, Belgica 0, Pili 0, Pajarillaga 0.

Quarters: 18-9, 27-24, 46-39, 66-57.