Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Unfazed by the home crowd, San Sebastian’s Michael Calisaan stood tallest as the Stags overcame the Arellano Chiefs, 65-56, in a bruising encounter for their first victory in the 93rd NCAA basketball tournament at Arellano Gym in Manila.
Hardly intimidated playing in hostile territory, Calisaan dished out a double double with 12 points and 13 rebounds apart from anchoring the Stags’ airtight defense that shut down the Chiefs down the stretch.
“I’m used to it,” said Calisaan, referring to the scenario of playing against the home crowd. “I grew up playing in inter-barangay and inter-town leagues which usually means playing against the crowd. But coach told us to continue playing aggressive, despite the foul trouble.”
The Stags evened their card at 1-1, bouncing back from a 67-76 loss to the San Beda Red Lions in Saturday’s opener.
“We knew we needed to really stepped up on our defense in the fourth quarter,” said San Sebastian coach Egay Macaraya.
Determined to take the crowd out of the game, the Stags got off to a rousing start by outscoring Arellano, 24-8, in the opening period of the first “NCAA on Tour” match this season.
But the Chiefs drew strength from Kent Salado as they came to within 50-52 with a little over four minutes left.
Calisaan and RK Ilagan joined forces to close out the game with a 13-6 burst, while Arellano’s Salado and Archie Concepcion lost their cool and were slapped with unsportsmanlike fouls.
Marwin Taywan was also ejected for hitting Allyn Bulanadi’s head.
Arellano, which overpowered Mapua, 91-82, also on Saturday, dropped to 1-1.
Meanwhile, Perpetual Help would challenge the decision of the NCAA, which forfeited the Altas’ 69-65 win over St. Benilde on Tuesday for wearing the wrong uniform color.
The Las Piñas-based school is seeking to uphold the Altas’ victory over the Blazers because they were penalized twice— first with a technical free throw and later, a forfeiture order.
“We’re still deliberating on it today (yesterday),” said NCAA Management Committee chair Fr. Glynn Ortega, O.A.R., of host San Sebastian.
In a statement, Perpetual said it was surprised why commissioner Arturo “Bai” Cristobal and the Mancom allowed the game to push through.
Even St. Benilde coach TY Tang agreed that “the game should have been over before it started.”