3 October 2019
By Maxine Louise Lagman
MANILA, Philippines – San Sebastian College-Recoletos escapes Jose Rizal University, 62-59, to end a three-game losing skid in the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament on Thursday at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
The Golden Stags finally returned to their winning ways and improved to an 8-6 win-loss record in the league standings and is one game ahead over Mapua University for the fourth spot.
“To God be the glory talaga dahil ang nangyayari, medyo hirap na hirap ang panalo eh,” said San Sebastian head coach Egay Macaraya post-game. “Hopefully magtuloy-tuloy na, dahil kailangan namin ng panalo para makapasok sa Final 4.”
San Sebastian had a hard time keeping a slim lead in the first three quarters, eventually settling on a 45-43 advantage. But, an unsportsmanlike foul was called on JRU’s Chester Jungco, which gave San Sebastian a big break for a 54-45 lead after a 7-0 run, 4:29 left to play.
The Heavy Bombers were not about to go down without a fight, so they responded with a 7-0 blast of their own to cut the lead to two, 54-52.
Alvin Capobres knocked down a triple that pulled them away once again, 61-52, but JRU just kept responding back with buckets from JL Delos Santos and Marq Dionisio for 61-58, with 34 ticks left.
RK Ilagan was given the chance to pull away again on the free throw line, but he missed both shots. Good thing Capobres was right on the offensive rebound that forced the Bombers for another foul. Rommel Calahat made of two shots to ice the game.
“Ang hirap talaga dahil maraming may sakit,” Macaraya said. “Medyo malamya ang mga bata dahil may sakit, at kulang ako sa rotation.”
Capobres led San Sebastian with 21 points and eight rebounds, while JM Calma had a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double. Ilagan chipped in 11 markers, six assists, three boards, and a steal.
For JRU, Thomas Vasquez topped with 13 points, while Ryan Arenal and Dionisio combined for 22 markers as they dropped to a 4-10 slate.
The scores:
SSC-R (62) – Capobres 21, Calma 12, Ilagan 11, Calahat 8, Bulanadi 6, Desoyo 4, Altamirano 0, Cosari 0, Loristo 0, Tero 0, Villapando 0.
JRU (59) – Vasquez 13, Arenal 12, Dionisio 10, Delos Santos 8, Miranda 8, Jungco 4, Amores 2, Dela Rosa 2, Macatangay 0.
Quarterscores: 11-10, 28-21, 45-43, 62-59.
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