San Sebastian repulses EAC to even slate at 5-5

San Sebastian’s Michael Calisaan

San Sebastian shut down Emilio Aguinaldo College in the clutch to eke out an 81-69 victory Friday in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Michael Calisaan finished the game this time out and unleashed 19 points and five rebounds to lead the Golden Stags, atoning for his ejection in the two team’s first round tiff.

“Praise God that Michael wasn’t thrown out (unlike in our first round game). He was really big for us,” said coach Egay Macaraya, as San Sebastian leveled its record to 5-5.

JM Calma missed out on a double-double with 12 markers and nine boards, Ryan Costelo unfurled 11 points, five assists, and four rebounds, while Renzo Navarro went 3-of-5 from beyond the arc to wound up with 11 markers, four dimes, and two boards.

“At least, we followed our game plan, but it was really tough facing them. Maybe, EAC just got tired because they have a short rotation,” said Macaraya.

With the Generals fighting back and trimming the lead down to just two, 67-65 with 3:42 left, San Sebastian went on a 12-0 charge, capped off by a Costelo basket to put the game out of reach, 79-65, with 34.6 ticks remaining.

Francis Munsayac led EAC (4-6) with 14 points, five assists, and four rebounds, while Irvin Mendoza got 11 markers and three boards in the defeat.

The Scores:

SAN SEBASTIAN 81 – Calisaan 19, Calma 12, Costelo 11, Navarro 11, Bulanadi 9, Valdez 8, David 4, Baetiong 3, Mercado 2, Capobres 2, Gayosa 0, Ilagan 0, Are 0.

EAC 69 – Munsayac 14, I. Mendoza 11, Bautista 10, Diego 10, Garcia 10, Onwubere 9, Bugarin 3, Pascua 2, Guzman 0, Corilla 0, J. Mendoza 0, Neri 0.

Quarters: 21-16, 38-33. 53-52, 81-69.