SAN Sebastian College nipped Lyceum 95-93 yesterday for its second straight win in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Rafael Are stayed red-hot after tallying a career-high over the weekend, pacing the Golden Stags anew with a double-double outing of 25 points and 13 assists to go with eight rebounds, and two steals while Raymart Escobido, who sank the last basket for San Sebastian via a bonus free throw, finished with 23 markers, three boards, four dimes, and a steal.
In the second game, Mapua University Cardinals escaped Emilio Aguinaldo College 69-66 for its first victory.
Tristan Felebrico also had a double-double of 14 markers and 15 rebounds while Leonard Velasco and Reggz Gabat combined for 18 points for San Sebastian.
“I always remind the boys na up to the last second huwag kaming mag-gi-give up, up to the last buzzer, iyon talaga and again, take it every game as championship, walang bukas. pahinga tayo bukas kapag nanalo. Win or lose laro natin para sa Baste. Para ibalik iyong glory ng Baste,” Stags coach Arvin Bonleon said.
“Siguro, tingin ko iyong puso talagang desidido sila. Nagtiwala sila sa amin, nagtiwala kami sa kanila. Hindi talaga kami kumuha from outside, galing lang sa loob. Binigyan (namin) ng chance iyong mga bata and siyempre gusto nila i-prove iyong sarili nila,” he added.
John Barba’s career-high 25 points went down the drain for the Pirates, who dropped to 0-2.
Ditto with JM John Bravo’s 13 markers, and Guadana’s 12.
Sporting buzz cuts after their opening day loss over the weekend, the Cardinals crashed the winner’s circle, thanks to rookie Lawrence Mangubat who fired 15 points along with JC Recto who scored 12.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Clint Escamis dished out an all-around performance of 10 markers, six dimes, four boards and three steals while rookie Chris Hubilla added nine points and 10 rebounds for the Intramuros-based crew.
Transferee Harvey Pagsanjan and King Gurtiza led the Generals’ offense with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
