NCAA 100: San Sebastian end Perpetual’s Final Four dreams

San Sebastian Stags in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament. –NCAA PHOTO

With only pride and pleasure at stake, the San Sebastian Stags brought down the University of Perpetual Help Dalta Atlas with them out of the semifinal picture, 83-72, on Saturday in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.

Under no duress, the Stags were in control for much of the second half and easily quelled Perpetual’s late fightback in a free-wheeling encounter that ultimately wiped out the Altas’ Final Four bid.

Tristan Felebrico scattered 18 points and graduating players Reggz Gabat and Raymart Escobido contributed 15 and 14 each as the Stags embraced a nothing-to-lose attitude in notching their only fifth win out of 16 games.

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“Although our remaining games have no bearing, I told my teammates that we should still play our best,’’ said Felebrico in Filipino after pulling down seven rebounds and three assists that helped the Stags cut loose.

“It won’t look good if we end our season with bad habits. This will also serve as a good preparation for next season,’’ added the San Sebastian team captain.

They built a huge lead early in the third before Perpetual skipper Christian Pagaran sliced it down with a variety of incursions capped by a long three.

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Pagaran found Henry Montemayor on the corner for a triple, pulling the Altas within eight entering the final two minutes.

Undaunted by Perpetual’s desperation assault the Stags simply maintained their composure as Felebrico scored underneath followed by a pull-up inside the paint that eventually suppressed the bold comeback.

“I just told everybody to enjoy our remaining games. We had the same energy in practice and played small ball throughout,’’ said San Sebastian coach Arvin Bonleon after fielding his entire roster with Gabat and Escobido getting more floor time.

Pagaran scored most of his 16 points in the final period and rookie Mark Gojo Cruz chipped in 14 for the Altas, who officially threw their semifinal aspirations out of the window with a 6-11 record.

The scores

SAN SEBASTIAN 83 – Felebrico 18, R. Gabat 15, Escobido 14, Are 12, L. Gabat 4, Aguilar 3, Pascual 3, Cruz 3, Ramilo 3, Velasco 2, Lintol 2, Suico 2, Ricio 2, Maliwat 0, Barroga 0

PERPETUAL HELP 72 – Pagaran 16, Gojo Cruz 14, Montemayor 10, Manuel 8, Pizarro 8, Abis 7, Boral 5, Gelsano 2, Nuñez 1, Sevilla 1, Thompson 0, Danag 0