Martin San Diego | FCF
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) saw the re-enactment of last season’s seniors basketball Final Four cast, as San Sebastian College-Recoletos repulsed De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 69-62, in Thursday’s twinbill at the San Juan Arena.
Now bannered by almost an entirely new cast of players with veteran Jovit de la Cruz as team captain, the Golden Stags hammered the season’s hosts with a variety of offensive attacks and stingy halfcourt defense in the fourth quarter which made the Blazers take forced shots.
Pangasinan native CJ Perez led the way for San Sebastian with 17 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while Leo de Vera flexed his muscle with 10 points, which included a cold-blooded trey in the fourth quarter to mark Benilde’s fall, 61-53, with three minutes to go in the game. He also hauled a game high 15 rebounds.
“This is a very good experience for us, although we’re young and inexperienced and not given a chance to be projected as a Final Four contender in the pre-season,” commented San Sebastian head coach Topex Robinson, who coached the Stags to a runner-up finish in Season 87, when they were still bannered by Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang
“My job has been easier this season because I have a bunch of guys who are very coachable, humble, and disciplined and what’s special about them is that they learn from our losses,” he added.
The win moved the Stags (11-7) to a playoff for third place against Perpetual Help on Tuesday, and also marked the ouster of Emilio Aguinaldo College (9-8).
The Blazers (5-13), on the other hand, settled again for ninth place despite losing most of its games by less than five points. They were led by star forward Mark Romero with 23 points and nine rebounds.
Angel Marquez | FCF
In the second game, Arellano University cruised to its fourth straight win with a last quarter rampage against Jose Rizal University, 63-54.
Former JRU high school phenom Keith Agovida scored 13 points in the fourth quarter and blocked two shots in the last two minutes and finished with 19 points and eight rebounds to tow the Chiefs to its eight win in 17 games.
“Si Keith, that’s the reason why he is special because he is our only player who can play the three and four positions. He is a complete package because he has good defense, rebounding, and nose for the ball,” said Arellano coach Koy Banal.
Shooter Levi Hernandez also poured in 19 points while his counterpart, Phillip Paniamogan, led the way for the Bombers (6-12) with 22 points and six rebounds.
