Allyn Bulanadi, who was given the green light to score at every chance he got, lived up to expectations.
The 6’2” Bulanadi knocked in a career-high 32 points as he led the San Sebastian Stags to an 83-67 stopping of the undermanned College of St. Benilde Blazers yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.
Bulanadi’s huge effort helped hand the Blazers their fifth straight win in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
Because of this, the Stags moved up to a three-way tie in second place with their 7-3 win-loss record.
And they now share the same card with the Letran Knights and the Lyceum Pirates, keeping the Stags in contention for a Final Four seat.
“It’s his last year with the team. I told him na kailangan ay maganda ang paglabas niya whatever happens,” said Stags’ coach Egay Macaraya.
Bulanadi joined hands with RK Ilagan and Alvin Capobres for 22 points in the first period, as the Stags moved out of range, 28-20.
The Stags maintained their advantage until the third period where Bulanadi banged in 11 points and powered the Stags to a 68-50 spread.
The Blazers, who played without two injured players James Pasturan and Edward Dixon, drew 16 points from Yankee Haruna. They dropped to third at 6-4.
In the junior division, Emman Galman struck with 24 points and had 11 rebounds in leading the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas to a 93-88 triumph over the Lyceum Junior Pirates.
Comebacking Edsel Galoy, who just returned from a nose injury, tallied 20 points for the Junior Altas, as they joined the Arellano Braves, the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers and the Staglers in fourth with their 5-5 slate.
The Junior Pirates, with John Barba showing the way with 32 points, remained in second at 7-4.
The San Sebastian Staglets, behind Nikko Aguilar and Kim Bulasa with 17 and points, waylaid the third-running La Salle Green Hills, 90-86.
RC Calimag delivered 33 points for LSGH, which remained in third at 6-4.
Jaycee Marcelino and Mike Nzeusseu tallied 21 points apiece in powering the Lyceum Pirates to an 89-74 smothering of the University of Perpetual Help Altas.
With their 8-3 slate, the Pirates jumped to solo second as they moved in solid contention for a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four semifinals.
