Stags shock Knights; Lions down Generals

MANILA, Philippines -- San Sebastian came through in the stretch as it rallied from 11-points down to pull off a shock 89-87 win over Letran Tuesday to breathe some life to its dying Final Four hopes in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Michael Calisaan fired 27 points including 17 in the third quarter when the Stags turned things around and Ryan Costelo poured in eight of his 13 points in the fourth quarter including a difficult scoop shot in traffic that gave their team the lead for good.

It was the Stags’ third win against seven defeats that kept them in the race.

More importantly, it avenged its heartbreaking 76-82 defeat to Letran in the first round on July 21 in a game where the Stags led all the way before collapsing in the end.

“I told the players to play with pride because we know in our hearts that we won our first game against them,” said San Sebastian coach Rodney Santos.

The upset allowed San Beda, which downed Emilio Aguinaldo, 96-84, earlier, to catch up on Letran at the helm with identical 8-2 (win-loss) slates.

Arthur dela Cruz, who was drafted last Sunday by Blackwater at ninth overall, took charge by churning out a career-high 30 points he spiked with 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Also stepping up big was Amiel Soberano, who came off the bench to fire a career-best 20 points including four booming triple to help the Lions get back following a stinging 84-88 defeat to the Arellano U Chiefs last week.

“What can I say, their stats speak for itself,” said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin of dela Cruz and Soberano.

And San Beda did it in the absence of Nigerian Ola Adeogun, who served a one-game suspension for damaging the glass door of one of the venue’s locker rooms, and Baser Amer, remained out due to a shoulder injury.

Thankfully, dela Cruz and Soberano were there to fill the void.

Francis Munsayac paced his team with 20 points including five from behind the arc while Cameroonian Laminou Hamadou had 18 points but the Generals didn’t left in the tank to keep up with the roaring Lions.

EAC slid to the bottom with a 2-8 mark.

The scores:
San Beda 96- dela Cruz 30, Soberano 20 Sara 14, Tankoua 11, Mocon 5, Koga 4, Solera 4, Sedillo 4, Cabanag 2, Tongco 2, Reyes 0, Bonsubre 0
EAC 84- Munsayac 20, Hamadou 18, Diego 14, Mejos 12, Pascua 8, Onwubere 6, Bonleon 3, Morada 3, Estacio 0
Quarterscores: 14-16, 44-35; 70-60; 96-84

Second Game
San Sebastian 89- Calisaan 27, Ortuoste 19, Guinto 15, Costelo 13, Fabian 7, Bulanadi 1, Bragais 0, Santos 0, Pretta 0, Vera 0, Capobres 0
Letran 87- Cruz 30, Nambatac 12, Racal 12, Sollano 9, Quinto 8, Luib 5, Balanza 4, Balagasay 4, Apreku 2, Calvo 1
Quarterscores: 15-22; 39-41; 63-62; 89-87