San Sebastian Stags in the NCAA Season 97. NCAA/GMA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Alex Desoyo swished a cold-blooded corner jumper in the dwindling seconds as San Sebastian held off Jose Rizal University, 70-64, in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday at the La Salle Greenhills Gym.
Recognizing an approaching trap, Ken Villapando found a wide-open Desoyo, who confidently nailed it and stabilized the Stags on the way to their third win in four games.
JM Calma barreled through the lane with 26 points and 11 boards as the Stags fruitfully fended off the Heavy Bombers’ late charge where their chief gunner Jason Celis bungled three consecutive tries in the closing seconds.
The Stags climbed to sixth place and pushed the Heavy Bombers further down the standings with a 1-6 slate where JRU’s chances of securing a spot in the play-in are no longer in their hands.
Teams ranked fifth and sixth at the end of the eliminations will figure in the play-in to keep their Final Four hopes alive.
The Scores
SSC-R 70 — Calma 26, Calahat 13, Desoyo 10, Villapando 7, Shanoda 6, Abarquez 5, Are 2, Cosari 1, Una 0, Loristo 0, Abat 0, Felebrico 0, Dela Cruz 0.
JRU 64 — Celis 21, Agbong 8, Jungco 7, Delos Santos 6, Dionisio 6, Arenal 4, Bongay 4, Estrella 3, Gonzales G. 3, Macatangay 2, Aguilar 0.
Quarters: 25-19, 36-32, 50-51, 70-64