Stags defuse Bulldogs run, near quarterfinals

Games tomorrow (Filoil Flying V Center)

11:15 a.m. – Arellano U vs San Sebastian

3:15 p.m. – Letran vs UST

5 p.m. – FEU vs UP

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian College fought back from 12 points down in the third period then fended off National U’s fightback in the stretch to pound an 86-82 victory yesterday and close in on the quarterfinal berth in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Michael Calisaan keyed SSC’s decisive 19-4 run bridging the last two quarters as the Stags surged to a 79-67 bulge midway in the fourth before staving off the Bulldogs’ rally to nail their fourth straight victory in five games in Group B.  

Calisaan finished with 22 points and fell two rebounds short of a double-double.

“It’s good that we’re winning, it means we’re improving,” said San Sebastian coach Egay Macaraya, whose wards moved up to third behind Adamson (6-1) and Far Eastern U (4-0) in Group B.

J-Jay Alejandro fired 20 points for the skidding Bulldogs, who fell to their third straight loss after sweeping their first three games.

Ryan Costelo backed up Calisaan with 16 points and five assists as SSC primed up for its next match against Arellano U tomorrow.

The Chiefs rode on the 30-point explosion by Kent Salado as they held off the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 95-92, to post their first win after three straight defeats.

In the nightcap, Lyceum trounced Perpetual Help, 89-73, for a 5-2 card. The Altas slid to 2-4.