Allyn Bulanadi scored his best output of the season, knocking in 44 points and hauling eight rebounds to help push the San Sebastian Stags to a 99-94 triumph over the University of Perpetual Help Altas yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center.
Bulanadi’s performance is considered one of the league’s all-time highs as the Stags formally made it to the Final Four of the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
The 6’2” Bulanadi banged in 15 points in the fourth period, where the Stags cut loose from an 88-all deadlock with his two charities, a triple and a driving shot and into a 95-90 lead in the last 1:43.
Bulanadi’s score was higher than the previous best of Letran’s Larry Muyang as it is now considered the fourth highest in the league, with Lim Eng Beng’s 55-point tally still untouched to this day.
The Stags finished the second round with an 11-7 record to take the fourth seeding.
“Ang hirap kasi ng ginawa namin, with Allyn doing everything. I guess, the good thing is, the boys really needed a break and a rest,” said Stags’ coach Egay Macaraya.
RK Ilagan knocked in 22 points, while Alvin Capobres contributed 10 points for the Stags.
Later, Yankie Haruna provided 13 points in the College of St. Benilde Blazers’ 68-62 beating of the Mapua University Cardinals.
The Blazers missed the last ticket to the Final Four after holding the same 9-9 slate with the Cardinals.
In the junior side, Leonel Policarpio had 13 points with Dan Parinas and hit two free throws in the last three seconds, putting the Malayan Red Robins to a 64-60 win over the La Salle Greenhills Greenies.
Kyle Cuevas hit two charities in the last two seconds, propelling the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas to an 80-76 triumph over the San Sebastian Staglets.
With their 10-8 slate in fourth, the Red Robins and the Junior Altas are headed for a playoff for the third and fourth semis berths.