Bulanadi jumper lifts Stags past Red Lions

MANILA, Philippines – Allyn Bulanadi poured in nine of his 16 points in the final quarter, including a jumper in the last 3.8 seconds, as San Sebastian College pulled off a 72-71 shocker over  San Beda in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Though the win failed to move the Stags from ninth  spot in a field of 10 at 3-9, it gave the Recoletos-based school some boost in its bid for a playoff for the last Final Four seat.

Struggling to find his mark in the first three quarters, Bulanadi finally hit his stride in the fourth and rattled off nine points, capped by the game winning  jumper that completed the Stags’ stunning comeback from 14 points down in the last period.

It was actually SSC’s second straight win as it also upended No. 3 Perpetual Help, 71-55, last Friday.

Trailing by a point, 70-71, with 11.1 seconds left in the contest, the Stags went to Bulanadi, who nearly blew it after his inbound pass was intercepted by San Beda’s Robert Bolick that paved the way for Dan Sara’s charities off a foul by Ryan Castelo.

But Sara, back after a two-week absence due to a fractured finger, wilted under pressure and missed both free throws, setting up the 19-year-old Bulanadi for the crucial hit on the other side.

For his part, SSC coach Egay Macaraya said the win showed the team’s character in face of tremendous odds.

He also cited Bulanadi’s endgame brilliance.

The Lions, who missed the services of Donald Tankoua, out for the rest of the season after tearing his right ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in their last game, squandered a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter and took their second defeat against 10 wins.

The Stags seized control in the first half, 37-27, after outscoring the Lions, 24-10, in the second period. But San Beda came roaring back behind Jayvee Mocon and Sara as the Lions took command at 58-47 heading to the fourth.

A Mocon basket stretch the Lions’ lead to 14, 66-52, with a little over six minutes remaining before Bulanadi took over from there to lead the Stags’ fiery windup.

In the second game, Mapua leaned on Allwell Oraeme and Andoy Estrella as the Cardinals clobbered the Lyceum of the Phl U Pirates, 90-75, to remain at solo fourth at 7-4.

Oraeme, the reigning MVP, shot 27 points and hauled down 25 rebounds with four blocks to boot while Estrella scored all his 12 points in the fourth quarter to help the Cardinals seal the victory.

The Pirates dropped to 5-6.

In the third game, Teytey Teodoro took charge in overtime as Jose Rizal U trounced reigning titlist Letran, 75-68, to move to solo No. 5 with a 6-5 card.

The Knights slid to 5-6.