San Sebastian Stags’ Romel Calahat. –NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—San Sebastian barely escaped Emilio Aguinaldo College, 62-59, in its penultimate game in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Sunday.
The Golden Stags, who are already eliminated from the Final Four race, used stifling defense in the final seconds to halt any hopes of a Generals comeback.
“Even in these non-bearing games, we need to perform and execute what we need to do… It was all about execution and one team just playing together,” coach Egay Macaraya said.
EAC, which dropped to a 2-15 record, had a chance to tie the game at 61-all but Itchie Altamirano, who finished with a game-high 18 points, blocked a Nat Cosejo jumper while securing the rebound with 3.6 ticks to go.
Ruzzelle Dominguez, however, committed an unsportsmanlike foul against Altamiranoto giving the Stags two freebies and the possession. Altamirano missed both charity shots but Jessie Sumoda sealed the deal with two free throws of his own.
The Generals had to come back from a 53-44 disadvantage at the end of the third quarter with a 13-6 run to inch closer and make a last ditch attempt to snatch the game.
Romel Calahat came up with a double-double for San Sebastian with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Cosejo registered 15 markers for the Generals while Dominguez finished with 12 markers and five boards in a losing effort.
The Scores:
SAN SEBASTIAN 62 — Altamirano 18, Calahat 12, Aguilar 11, Sumoda 6, Cosari 4, Villapando 3, Una 3, Escobido 2, Are 0, Concha 0.
EAC 59 — Cosejo 15, Dominguez 12, Tolentino 7, Maguliano 6, Cosa 6, Quinal 5, Balowa 4, Luciano 2, Angeles 2, Bajon 0, Umpad 0, An. Doria 0.
Quarters: 20-15, 39-32, 53-44, 62-59.