San Sebastian’s Romel Calahat. NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—San Sebastian bounced back after nipping a shorthanded Mapua, 57-56, in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Sunday.
After losing to College of St. Benilde on Friday, 100-96, the Golden Stags withstood a late spurt by the Cardinals to clinch their second win in three outings.
“In our game against Benilde, we did not play right in the first half. We thought we could not do that so in this game, we brought that attitude with us because we wanted to win,” Romel Calahat said after putting up 17 points and 17 rebounds to power San Sebastian.
Back-to-back 3-pointers by Calahat and Ken Villapando gave the Stags a 55-49 cushion with 2:10 remaining before the Cardinals’ last-gasp effort.
Adrian Nocum scored 15 points while Arvin Gamboa had 12 for Mapua.
The Cardinals, who played without Bryan Lacap, absorbed their second straight setback after opening the season with a victory over the San Beda Red Lions.