Stags escape Blazers after Gutang’s last-second layup gets waved off

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

A split second made all the difference for San Sebastian to escape College of St. Benilde, 66-65, in the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Stags came away with their second straight win after the officials waved off Justin Gutang’s last-second layup that would’ve given the victory to the Blazers following a thorough review.

“Whatever happens, Benilde and Baste both deserved to win this game,” said San Sebastian coach Egay Macaraya.

“I guess we’re just lucky that it did not count, but any of the two teams deserved to win.”

Stags forward Michael Calisaan hit what turned out to be the game-winning free throw with 5.6 seconds left. Calisaan led his team with 18 points and seven rebounds.

Calisaan missed his second free throw that left the door open for Gutang’s layup that appeared to have beaten the buzzer in real time sans the use of replay review.

Still, it was a sterling performance by Gutang, who put on a show with 16 points in the fourth quarter alone.

The Filipino-American rookie finished with a game-high 25 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field on top of eight rebounds, five assists and two steals.

The Blazers blew a golden opportunity to seize solo third place at 7-4 and instead, settled for a tie with the Letran Knights, who lost to the San Beda Red Lions, 74-68, earlier.