Stags triumph

Allyn Bulanadi is capable of playing multiple positions when in the pink of health.

With the pain of a recent shoulder injury gone, the San Sebastian shooting guard proved just that.

The San Sebastian Stags benefited from Bulanadi’s tip-top condition Tuesday and tore the Mapua Cardinals apart, 92-68, in the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament.

“I feel much better now, there’s no more pain,” said Bulanadi in Filipino when asked about his right shoulder, which was dislocated during the pre-season.

Bulanadi teamed up with RK Ilagan, the hero of the Stags’ victory over the Jose Rizal U Heavy Bombers, on the offensive end as San Sebastian sent Mapua crumbling as early as the second quarter.

“The coaching staff was patient during my therapy and I’m thankful for the trust that coach has given me,” said Bulanadi whose fearsome partnership with Ilagan resulted in a combined 36 points against the Cardinals.

But scoring is just a fraction of Bulanadi’s hoop package.

“If he’s 100 percent healthy, Allyn can play all five positions. Just like RK, he can score anytime he wants to,” said San Sebastian head coach Egay Macaraya, who handed the reins to his fiery guard during the game.

And Bulanadi got everyone involved.

Big man Alex Desoyo and fellow starters JM Calma and Alvin Capobres also finished in double figures along with Ken Villapando as the Stags tied defending champion San Beda on top at 2-0.

St. Benilde later made it a three-team logjam for the lead after a 75-63 rout of Perpetual in a later game.

“The maturity and bonding of the players are showing after six of our players scored in double figures,” added Macaraya.

Meanwhile, Edson Batiller fueled Letran’s 55-43 victory over the Heavy Bombers in the curtain-raiser at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

SCORES

LETRAN 55 | JOSE RIZAL 43
LETRAN 55—Batiller 14, Ular 8, Javillonar 7, Balanza 6, Muyang 5, Mina 5, Yu 3, Ambohot 2, Olivario 2, Pambid 2, Balagasay 1, Caralipio 0, Reyson 0, Sangalang 0.
JRU 43—Dela Rosa 15, Dela Virgen 7, Dionisio 6, Amores 6, Delos Santos 4, Aguilar 3, Jungco 2, Steinl 0, Vasquez 0, Abaoag 0, Arenal 0.
Quarters: 11-6, 30-17, 41-33, 55-43
SAN SEBASTIAN 92 | MAPUA 68
SSC 92—Ilagan 20, Bulanadi 16, Desoyo 14, Villapando 13, Calma 12, Capobres 10, Altamirano 3, Calahat 2, Loristo 2, Sumoda 0, Dela Cruz 0, Tero 0, Are 0, Suico 0.
MAPUA 68—Lugo 13, Victoria 11, Bonifacio 10, Bunag 7, Hernandez 6, Garcia 5, Gonzales 4, Salenga 3, Gamboa 3, Aguirre 2, Serrano 2, Nieles 2, Jabel 0, Nocum 0, Dela Cruz 0.
Quarters: 16-11, 46-23, 68-45, 92-68
ST. BENILDE 75 | PERPETUAL 63
CSB 75—Young 14, Belgica 12, Gutang 9, Dixon 8, Flores 7, Leutcheu 7, Naboa 6, Pasturan 5, Carlos 4, Sangco 4, Lepalam 0
PERPETUAL 63—Razon 15, Aurin 12, Charcos 8, Peralta 8, Adamos 6, Cuevas 5, Sevilla 4, Egan 3, Tamayo 2, Barasi 0, Giussani 0, Lanoy 0, Martel 0, Lucero 0
Quarters: 14-18, 26-33, 49-41, 75-63