MANILA, Philippines – The San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags are still in the running for the last Final Four spot as they annihilated the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 80-60, in the last elimination round game of the NCAA Season 93 basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan Thursday, October 19.

Down 14 midway the fourth quarter, Perpetual was on the verge of mounting a comeback after cutting the deficit to 8, 54-62, by scoring 6 straight points. 

However, Jayson David’s back-to-back steals that resulted in two consecutive layups for Ryan Costelo propelled the Stags to go on a game-clinching 18-6 run. 

“I think ito na ‘yung bungo ng pinaghirapahan ng mga bata, at least nakarating na kami rito. ‘Yung pressure na may chance kaming pumasok sa Final Four, hopefully we can overcome all concerns and play well in the playoff,” said Stags coach Egay Macaraya. (This is the fruit of the players’ labors, at least we reached this stage. With the pressure that comes with the chance of us going into the Final Four, I hope we can overcome all concerns and play well in the playoff.) 

RK Ilagan starred for the Stags with 23 points on 5 triples while Michael Calisaan chalked up 21 markers and 10 rebounds. 

Genmar Ylagan paced the Altas with 16 points while Prince Eze added 12 markers and 10 boards.

With a 9-9 card, San Sebastian is now tied with Arellano University and Colegio de San Juan de Letran at fourth place and they will figure in a 3-team playoff for the last Final Four berth. 

San Sebastian will get a bye with its superior quotient as the Chiefs and the Knights battle it out tomorrow, 3:30 pm, at the same venue. 

The winner between the Arellano-Letran game will face the Stags on Tuesday, Oct. 24, to determine who advances to the semifinals. 

Perpetual, meanwhile, finished the season at 9th place with a 4-14 slate. 

Scores:

San Sebastian (80): Ilagan 23, Calisaan 21, Bulunadi 9, Calma 6, Costelo 6, Capobres 5, David 4, Navarro 2, Mercado 2, Gayosa 2, Baetiong 0, Valdez 0, 

Perpetual (60): Ylagan 16, Eze 12, Sadiwa 11, Coronel 10, Pido 8, Dagangon 3, Tamayo 0, Yuhico 0, Mangalino 0, Clemente 0, Casas 0 

Quarter scores: 22-14, 40-28, 58-42, 80-60. – Rappler.com