By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
San Sebastian unleashed a deadly 12-0 run in the last 79 seconds and shocked Lyceum, 95-93, to gain a share of early lead in NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Trailing 83-93, the Stags leaned on the hot hands of Paeng Are to turn things around and clinch their second straight win in as many outings.
The victory enabled San Sebastian to draw level with College of St. Benilde at the helm – a development that delighted Stags coach Arvin Bonleon.
The hot-shooting Are flirted with a triple-double effort by erupting for 25 points, hauling eight rebounds and dishing off 13 assists, including a drop pass to Tristan Felebrico for a successful conversion that cut the Pirates’ lead down to four, 93-89m in the last minute.
His performance came days after he dropped a 30-point, six-rebound and six-assist effort in another 91-84 come-from-behind win over Letran.
A costly turnover for the Pirates in the last 56.1 ticks kept the momentum going for the Stags as they protected their lead until the final buzzer.
Lyceum had a chance to steal the victory but a buzzer-beating three-point attempt from Mclaude Gaudana bounced off the rim.
Overall, it was a tough game for San Sebastian as it battled through seven deadlocks and 14 lead changes.
Raymart Escobido also shone for the Stags with 23 points, four assists and two steals, while Felebrico finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds.
Leonard Velasco also stepped up with 12 points.
Lyceum, for its part, dropped to its second consecutive defeat despite the efforts of John Barba, who had 25 points.
JM Bravo chipped in 13 points, but had to be stretchered out of the playing court in the final 9.6 seconds after hurting his back with a bad landing.
The scores:
First Game
SAN SEBASTIAN 95 – Are 25, Escobido 23, Felebrico 14, Velasco 12, Re. Gabat 6, Ra. Gabat 6, Aguilar 3, Suico 2, Ricio 2, Lintol 2, Pascual 0, Barroga 0, Maliwat 0.
LYCEUM 93 – Barba 25, Bravo 13, Guadana 12, Moralejo 10, Cunanan 8, Montano 7, Daileg 6, Villegas 6, Panelo 5, Gordon 1, Penafiel 0, Aviles 0, Paulo 0.
Quarters: 30-30; 50-50; 74-68; 95-93.
