In a no-bearing game for a team who had secured the twice-to-beat edge, Colegio de San Juan de Letran still played its A-game, downing San Sebastian College, 86-75, in Saturday’s NCAA seniors basketball action at the San Juan Arena.
Leading most valuable candidate Raymond Almazan reminded the young Golden Stags team who’s the boss by capping the game with a getaway tomahawk dunk against the challenge of high-leaping guard CJ Perez. He finished the game with 20 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks.
“Walang no-bearing sa amin. Ginawa lang naming yung usual na laro namin na nakabase sa depensa. Preparation naming din ito sa arch-rivals namin,” Almazan said, referring to the San Beda Red Lions.
The Knights (14-3), despite being challenged by open-court offense, played slowly and deliberately on offense to hold leads by as much as seven entering the final minutes of the game.
Down by only three, 68-71, after a three-point play conversion by Bradwyn Guinto, the Stags stole the ball from the Knights with around 30 seconds left but their fastbreak try was botched by Rey Nambatac, who picked Perez’s pocket in his layup attempt.
The defensive gem led to Almazan’s dunk and a technical foul from San Sebastian head coach Topex Robinson sealed the deal for the Stags.
The red-and-gold clad Stags drop to 9-7, just a full game ahead of fifth placer Emilio Aguinaldo College (8-8). They were led by Jovit de la Cruz, who topscored with 21 points.
Lyceum ousts Jose Rizal with Zamora’s game winner
In the first game, high-scoring point guard Dexter Zamora sizzled in the fourth quarter and sank the winning basket as the Lyceum of the Philippines University ousted Jose Rizal University from the final four, 72-71.
With barely six seconds to go, Zamora eluded Philip Paniamogan’s defense with a behind-the-back dribble and threw a teardrop shot against Jordan de la Paz’s challenge for a buzzer-beater that trickled in the ring.
Zamora scored all his ten points in the fourth quarter while Shane Ko led the way for the 6-10 Pirates with 13 points.
Michael Mabulac tallied 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Bombers (6-10).
