NCAA: Bulanadi erupts for 44 as San Sebastian seals entry to stepladder semis

MANILA, Philippines–Allyn Bulanadi erupted with a season-high 44 points as the San Sebastian Stags sealed the final spot in the step-ladder semifinals with a hard-earned 99-94 victory over the Perpetual Altas on Friday in the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tourney.

Bulanadi, the league’s leading scorer, fired seven threes and had eight rebounds in setting a career high that helped the Stags avoid the complication of going through a qualifying playoff with the Mapua Cardinals in the semis.

RK Ilagan drilled five threes and wound up with 22 points for the Stags, who registered an 11-7 win-loss record after the double-round eliminations.

The Stags have arranged a semifinal meeting with the third-ranked Letran Knights next week where the winner faces No.2 semis qualifier Lyceum Pirates. The survivor in that tiff with Pirates will advance to the best-of-three championships series with the San Beda Red Lions.

Edgar Charcos finished his collegiate career with 21 points and Kim Aurin added 20 for the Altas, who wrapped up their season with a 4-14 record.

SAN SEBASTIAN 99—Bulanadi 44, Ilagan 22, Capobres 10, Calma 6, Villapando 6, Calahat 6, Tero 3, Sumoda 2, Isidro 0, Cosari 0, Desoyo 0, Altamirano 0.

PERPETUAL 94—Charcos 22, Aurin 20, Razon 18, Peralta 10, Adamos 8, Martel 6, Giussani 6, Sevilla 2, Tamayo 2, Lanoy 0, Cuevas 0.

Quarters: 27-18, 48-44, 76-65, 99-94