Rommel Calahat scored the game winner for the San Sebastian Stags, who went on to upset the Lyceum Pirates, 73-71, yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.
Calahat scored an unlikely basket from inside the paint in the last 21.6 seconds, lifting the Stags to the win that strengthened their Final Four bid in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
The Stags’ winning chances came after Allyn Bulanadi tossed an inbound pass past Pirates’ big man Mike Nzeusseu as he looked the other way, allowing Calahat to drive in for the game’s biggest basket.
With Bulanadi making a game-high 28 points, the Stags earned their ninth win in 15 games and solidified their grip on fourth place.
This put the Stags two games ahead of the Mapua University Cardinals and the College of St. Benilde Blazers, who share the same 7-8 slate in fifth.
“Malaking bagay ito sa amin dahil we are fighting for our lives,” said Stags’ coach Egay Macaraya.
The Pirates had chances to force an overtime, but JM Calma’s defense on Reymar Caduyac proved to be key as the Stags forced a turnover when the latter turned the ball over while trying to score.
Jaycee Marcelino showed the way with 21 points for the Pirates, who at 12-4, need another win to get the second seeding.
Yankie Haruna knocked in 16 points, while Justine Gutang provided 12 points for College of St. Benilde Blazers, who turned back the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 62-56.
“We’re in a blur with our situation, but we’re just going to keep on fighting,” said coach TY Tang.
Haruna drilled in seven points in the third period as the Blazers went to work in getting past a one-point deficit, 43-44, and into a 52-44 advantage.
The Generals took their 13th loss in 16 outings, with JP Maguliano leading with a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double output.
In the junior division, John Barba top-scored for 25 points for the Lyceum Junior Pirates, who outplayed the San Sebastian Staglets, 82-72, and stayed in contention for the second twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four at 10-6.
RC Calimag drilled in 19 points for the La Salle Greenhills Greenies, who prevailed over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadiers, 81-51.
This moved the Greenies into a tie for third with the Arellano Braves (9-6) in contention for the second seeding in the Final Four.
Meanwhile, Tonton Peralta struck with a career-high 25 points as University of Perpetual Help bucked the ejection of Kim Aurin in the first quarter and eked out a 77-66 win over the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers.
The Altas, who lost Aurin to a disqualifying foul in the first quarter, improved to 5-10, drew 13 points from Edgar Charcos.