Calisaan scores 36, Stags knock off Knights for 4th spot

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Michael Calisaan was blazing all over the court as he anchored San Sebastian to a 74-69 victory over Letran to take the four-seed and move on to the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament stepladder semifinals Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The 22-year-old forward unleashed a career-best 36 points, including the dagger three from the top of the arc with 18.3 seconds left to seal the deal for the Golden Stags.

Calisaan went 14-of-22 from the field while also hauled down 10 rebounds for San Sebastian.

Senior playmaker Ryan Costelo also poured nine of his 13 markers in the last 4:20 of the game as the two fired 16 of the Golden Stags’ last 18 points in the do-or-die tiff.

“These two are my veterans and they really showed it in the game,” said coach Egay Macaraya, who celebrated his 56th birthday in style.

RK Ilagan and Renzo Navarro combined for 12 points, six rebounds, and five assists in the victory.

San Sebastian’s win also propelled it to the Final Four for the first time since Season 89 in 2013, as it sets up a knockout date against third-seed JRU on Friday.

“The boys deserve it all, especially with the way they played today. Hopefully, this will be the start of us having a good character in the Final Four,” said Macaraya.

Costelo weaved his magic in the clutch as he split the defense and scored on a floater with 44.9 ticks left to put San Sebastian up, 71-69.

Letran had a chance to re-take the lead, but Jeo Ambohot botched his three from the right wing, setting the stage for Calisaan’s game-clinching triple.

Jeremiah Taladua paced Letran with 16 points and five rebounds, Bong Quinto flirted with a triple-double of 15 markers, 11 boards, and seven assists, and JP Calvo got 11 points, seven rebounds, and six dimes.

Rey Nambatac bid the Knights goodbye with his 11 markers as he was a minus-19 for his side in the defeat.

The Scores:

SAN SEBASTIAN 74 – Calisaan 36, Costelo 13, Ilagan 6, Navarro 6, Valdez 4, David 3, Gayosa 3, Bulanadi 2, Baetiong 1, Calma 0, Capobres 0, Mercado 0.

LETRAN 69 – Taladua 16, Quinto 15, Calvo 11, Nambatac 11, Vacaro 8, Ambohot 3, Balanza 3, Balagasay 2, Mandreza 0, Gedaria 0.

Quarters: 18-16, 32-30, 53-54, 74-69.