SSC pulls plug on JRU bid

Games Nov. 7 (Mall of Asia Arena) 3:30 p.m. — San Sebastian vs San Beda (Srs)

Host San Sebastian College (SSC) could not have picked a more opportune time to dish out its finest performance last night, with a sluggish Jose Rizal University (JRU) side on the receiving end of its fury.

Firing on all cylinders in the middle quarters, the Golden Stags outclassed the Heavy Bombers, 85-73, and advanced to the next round of the stepladder semifinals in the 93rd NCAA seniors basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Guard RK Ilagan fired away 15 of his game-high 21 points in their decisive breakaway in the second period while three other teammates scored at least 10 points each as San Sebastian proved too hot to handle for a rusty JRU crew.

The dominant victory turned out to be a fitting payback by the fourthranked Golden Stags on the thirdseeded Heavy Bombers, who swept them in the eliminations but apparently showed up lackluster following a two-week break.

“It was all heart and hardwork,” said San Sebastian coach Egay Macaraya, fresh from a 74-69 victory over Letran in another do-or-die duel last Tuesday.

The victory enabled San Sebastian to earn the right to face second-seed and defending champion San Beda in another win-or-go home encounter on Nov. 7, with the winner advancing to the best-of-three finals against unbeaten Lyceum.

Guard Jed Mendoza had an allaround performance of 20 points, five assists, four steals and three rebounds but most of those came in the final canto when JRU was already bleeding profusely due to the severe damage inflicted by San Sebastian early on.

Down by three at the end of the first 10 minutes, the Golden Stags seized control behind the outside sniping of Ilagan in the second before veteran Michael Calisaan and Alfren Gayosa joined the fray in their 28-4 run in the third that defused all of the Heavy Bombers’ hopes.

Ilagan 21, Calisaan 13, Bulanadi 13, David 10, Calma 9, Gayosa 7, Costelo 5, Navarro 3, Baetiong 2, Mercado 2, Capobres 0, Valdez 0

Mendoza 20, Teodoro 12, Dela Virgen 11, Grospe 11, Poutouochi 8, Abdul Razak 6, Sawat 3, Lasquety 2, Bordon 0

Quarters: 12-15, 41-34, 71-45, 85-73