San Sebastian College snapped its four-game losing streak after a huge 75-67 win over San Beda University in Season 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan yesterday.
Reggz Gabat dropped 18 points, two rebounds and two steals for the Golden Stags as they improved to a 4-8 win-loss record.
With a slim 70-67 lead with 24 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Romel Calahat grabbed his own miss and scored on a putback to put the game in the bag.
Rafael Are then scored three of his four free throws in the final moments to seal the win for San Sebastian.
The Stags only committed six turnovers in the match and grabbed 43 rebounds.
“We have to make good decisions in the latter part of the game. Good thing the boys responded well and I think we just committed six turnovers and that was the key to this game,” head coach John Kallos said.
“I’m not surprised with our turnovers. Our game plan was to get inside and give the ball to our wing guys. We mixed up our game plan that’s why we aren’t predictable in this game.”
Calahat had 16 points for the Stags while Are had 14 to his name.
Filipino-Canadian rookie Jomel Puno almost had a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds as San Beda slipped to fourth place with a 7-4 slate.
In the first game, host Jose Rizal University defeated Arellano University, 79-74, to strengthen their Final Four bid.
Jonathan Medina scored 18 points for the Heavy Bombers while Patrick Ramos had 15 as JRU improved to third place with an 8-4 record.
Joshua Guiab had a double-double game for the Bombers with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Jade Talampas had 19 points but it fell short as the Chiefs sank to a 2-10 record at ninth place.