San Sebastian slays Letran to advance to semifinals
THE semifinal cast for Season 93 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is now complete after the San Sebastian Stags beat the Letran Knights, 74-69, in their knockout game yesterday for the last remaining Final Four slot at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Engaged in a very tight contest by their rivals, the Stags, this season’s host, managed to find ways to stay above the Knights, led by a career game from Michael Calisaan, and book the victory that thrust them to the stepladder semifinals.
The Stags joined the Lyceum Pirates, defending champions San Beda Red Lions and Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers in the Final Four which begins on Friday.
San Sebastian opened the game strong behind Calisaan that saw them building a 16-7 lead with under four minutes left in the first quarter.
Letran though would finish in a flurry, going on a 9- 2 blast to narrow the gap at 18-16 by the end of the opening quarter.
The Knights continued their strong play at the start of the second canto, riding the hot hands of Jeremiah Taladua to outscore the Stags, 8-3, in the first few minutes to build a three- point cushion, 24-21.
Calisaan though would lead a San Sebastian fight back anew as he scores seven straight points to help his team to a 28- 25 advantage.
It was a momentum that it would build on to finish the first half with a 32-30 lead.
The two ground it out at the beginning of the third frame until Bong Quinto and Taladua sparked Letran to a 48-39 separation at the four-minute mark of the quarter.
San Sebastian, however, would reclaim the lead, 53-52, with 35 ticks to go before two made charities by Rey Nambatac gave the lead back to Letran, 54-53, at the end of the third.
The combatants went backand-forth to start the payoff quarter, fighting to a 60-58 affair with seven minutes remaining and the Knights on top.
San Sebastian kept swarming on Letran thereafter but the latter continued to hold sway, 6867, with 2: 05 remaining in the contest.
Jayson David gave the lead anew to the Stags, 69- 68, off a basket down the lane.
Quinto got fouled at the 1:03 mark but managed only to split his free throws to tie the count at 69-all.
Ryan Costelo put San Sebastian ahead once again with 44 ticks to go as he scored off a looper which sent the Stags faithful to celebration.
Letran set up a play to pull even or even take the lead by Jio Ambohot’s three-point attempt but failed to connect.
In the succeeding play, Calisaan spot up for a three-pointer that swooshed in to give the Stags a 74-69 lead with 18 seconds left.
The Knights tried to claw their way back from the hole they were in but no breaks would come their way as the Stags held on for the win.
Calisaan finished with 36 points and 10 rebounds while Costelo added 13, nine points coming in the fourth quarter.
Taladua led Letran with 16 with Quinto finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
JP Calvo and Nambatac each had 11 points.
“This win showed how the team is very deserving to enter the Final Four. They’ve been working hard and I’m happy we made it,” said San Sebastian coach Egay Macaraya.
“We next face JRU in the Final Four. We have yet to beat them this season but I believe in my players and we will give our all,” added Mr. Macaraya, referring to their game against JRU in the first step of the stepladder semifinals on Friday.
Winner of that match moves on to battle San Beda in the second stage.