Stags host Heavy Bombers in NCAA on Tour
NATIONAL Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 93 hosts San Sebastian Stags play host to the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers in this week’s scheduled “NCAA on Tour” game.
To take place at the Stags’ home gym in Manila at 4 p.m., San Sebastian (1-2) is looking to build some consistency in winning when they take on the Heavy Bombers (2-2) after having it up and down in their first three games.
San Sebastian lost in its last game against league-leading Lyceum Pirates, 78-73, but not after making the latter sweat with their spirited play all the way to the end.
Forward Michael Calisaan had a game-high 28 points for the Stags against Lyceum, to go along with 10 rebounds.
Allyn Bulanadi supported Calisaan with 16 points and nine boards.
Incidentally, the lone win so far by the Egay Macaraya-coached Stags came by way of the NCAA on Tour when they pulled off a victory over host Arellano University, 6556, two weeks ago at the Chiefs’ gym in Legarda.
Also out to establish some steadiness in their campaign are the Heavy Bombers, winners in their last assignment against the Letran Knights, 65-62.
Jed Mendoza was the hero for JRU in their last win, pouring in 17 points and pulling off a defensive gem in the closing seconds to frustrate Letran’s comeback bid.
Teytey Teodoro added 14 points for the Kalentong- based Heavy Bombers while Gio Lasquety had 10.
Despite coming up with the win, JRU viewed the Letran game as testament that it still has to work on its game if it is to compete with the best in the league.
“We are happy we got the win but we are still showing our nerves during end games resulting to turnovers and passing mistakes, allowing our opponents to come back like what happened today. We need to improve on that,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses following their victory.
The NCAA on Tour is one of the notable changes this season. It has the league holding games in the premises of member schools. The NCAA said the reason behind it is to bring the league closer to its various stakeholders, particularly the students, and to further enhance interest in the league among them.
In holding the games on the road, the NCAA said it has made sure that the venues are at par with tournament standards and security is beefed up to guard the safety of the participants and spectators.