By MARK REY MONTEJO
Graduating seniors Romel Calahat and Alex Desoyo got the fitting swan song to their collegiate careers as they helped power San Sebastian to a 98-89 victory over Arellano University in the NCAA Season 99 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Friday, Nov. 24.
Calahat and Desoyo bid their farewells in style, presiding over a 32-8 flurry in the first half to rip the game wide apart and finish the season with a 6-12 record – two of them at the expense of the Chiefs.
Calahat marked the end of his stint as one of the Stags’ ever reliable gunners, firing a career-high 24 points along with 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Desoyo added 19 points.
The Stags actually had to buck a lethargic start before Desoyo pumped some life to their cause and established a double-digit spread, 31-19 at the end of the opening frame.
Calahat, saving his best for last, led San Sebastian to a lead that went to as high as 24 points before staving off any attempts of comeback from the Chiefs in the final two quarters.
Rafael Are and Tristan Felebrico scored 15 points apiece to ensure that their seniors and the rest of the Stags are concluding a roller coaster season on a high and with a 6-12 record.
Jade Talampas listed 20 points and 12 rebounds while Ralph Yanes added 18 as the Chiefs finished the disappointing season at the cellar with a 2-16 slate.
The scores:
SSC-R 98– Calahat 24, Desoyo 19, Are 15, Felebrico 15, Shanoda 9, Sumoda 5, Re. Gabat 4, Castor 3, Una 2, Ra. Gabat 2, De Leon 0, Aguilar 0, Chuidian 0.
Arellano 89– Talampas 20, Yanes 18, Mallari 13, Camay 11, Sunga 10, Capulong 7, Abastillas 7, Ongotan 2, Geronimo 1, Villarente 0, Dela Cruz 0, Tan 0, Dayrit 0.
Quarters: 31-19; 55-41; 76-63; 98-89.
