Allyn Bulanadi exploded for a career-high 32 points and helped power San Sebastian College-Recoletos to its fourth straight win with an 83-67 drubbing of College of St. Benilde in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at The Arena in San Juan City.
Bulanadi, who came into the game averaging a league-best 17.3 points per game, eclipsed his previous best of 31 points as he finished with an 11-of-21 shooting from field, including 5-of-12 from three-point territory in almost 30 minutes of action.
RK Ilagan also had a solid performance as he contributed 13 points with five rebounds and four assists, while Alvin Capobres added 12 points and six rebounds for the Stags.
With the win, San Sebastian has now moved up to second spot in the standings tied with Letran and Lyceum of the Philippines University, which was playing University of Perpetual Help System DALTA at press time.
LIONS EYE 11TH WIN
Meantime, defending three-time champion San Beda shoots for win No. 11 as the Red Lions battle the Arellano University Chiefs today.
The first time the two teams clashed was during the opening match of the season last July 7, and the Red Lions handed the Chiefs a 59-46 defeat.
San Beda head coach Boyet Fernandez said that is no guarantee of another win when they battle Arellano (2-8) – a team now handled by his former top assistant Cholo Martin – at 4 p.m.
“That was two months ago, and I think Arellano University has improved under coach Cholo,” said Fernandez. “The way they’re competing, the way they played, for me they’re capable of beating any team… even us.”
San Beda is coming off a 98-66 victory against Emilio Aguinaldo College last Tuesday, which extended the Red Lions’ winning streak to 24 dating back to August of last season.
In that win against the Generals, Clint Doliguez, Evan Nelle and Cameroonian big man Donald Tankoua led the team in scoring with 13 points apiece, while leading MVP contender Calvin Oftana and AC Soberano had 12 points apiece.
Fernandez said he is satisfied with the way his team is performing, but their immaculate record is no indication that it will be a trouble-free ride for them here in the second round, especially now that teams are hoping to improve their chances in the Final Four.
“Because we’re 10-0 we’ll just take it easy. We know that every game counts because teams are fighting for position. Even us we’re fighting for that 1-2 spots in the Final Four to get a twice-to-beat incentive,” said Fernandez.
Letran (7-3), on the other hand, tries to improve its own playoff bid as it clashes with Mapua (3-6) at 2 p.m. Larry Muyang had 24 points when the Knights edged the Cardinals, 89-84, in their first round meeting last July 30.
Jose Rizal University (3-7) meets EAC (1-9) in the first senior’s game at 12 noon.
First Game
SAN SEBASTIAN 83 – Bulanadi 32, Ilagan 13, Capobres 12, Desoyo 8, Calahat 7, Sumoda 6, Calma 3, Tero 2, Isidro 0, Altamirano 0, Cosari 0, Suico 0
- BENILDE 67 – Haruna 16, Nayve 10, Gutang 9, Young 8, Naboa 7, Belgica 5, Leutcheu 3, Carlos 3, Sangco 2, Lepalam 2, Mosqueda 2, Flores 0, Lim 0
Quarters: 28-20; 48-39; 68-50; 83-67.
