FilOil: San Sebastian survives UST in thriller; NU drubs JRU

 

MANILA, Philippines – The San Sebastian Stags held down an undermanned, yet feisty UST Growling Tigers, 85-81, in the 2019 FilOil Preseason Cup in San Juan on Tuesday, May 21.

RK Ilagan banged with the big boys for a team-high 28 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists on 14-of-16 free throws. JM Calma chipped in an 18-marker, 10-board double-double while Allyn Bulanadi added 15 points, 11 coming in the 2nd half alone.

Buried by as many as 16 points in the 3rd quarter, the Tigers roared their way to a 17-0 comeback, ending with a pair of Brent Paraiso free throws for a 56-55 lead.

Both teams then traded buckets early in the 4th until Bulanadi woke up and rained 8 straight points for the six-point lead, 74-68.

While UST still clawed back to a 78-76 lead off two straight long bombs by Mark Nonoy and Sherwin Concepcion, the breaks of the game fell the Stags’ way as Ilagan earned his way to 5 straight free throws in the clutch.

Concepcion fired one last three-ball to tie the game, but it clanked off. Ilagan then finished UST off with one last split trip from the line.

“I guess the character of the team is getting better,” said Baste head coach Egay Macaraya. “Even if we’re all tired, it’s still a good win.”

Macaraya’s Stags are also playing in the PBA D-League, where they are currently tied for 1st place in the Foundation Group with a 7-1 record.

First-year big man Rhenz Abando powered UST with 21 points and 9 rebounds as UST played without stars Soulemane Chabi Yo, Marvin Lee and Renzo Subido. Nonoy and Concepcion churned out 18 and 16 markers, respectively.

In the other game of the day, the NU Bulldogs bounced back from their loss against EAC with a 79-67 rout of the JRU Heavy Bombers.

NU led by as many as 24 points midway through the 4th before JRU fell short on the comeback rally.

Dave Ildefonso led the charge with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting, all in the 1st half. Robert Minerva added 11 markers and 8 rebounds while Migs Oczon added 9 points. 

Darius Estrella paced JRU with 14 points while Louise Delos Santos and Agem Miranda each chipped in 10.

 

The Scores

First Game:

NU 79 – Ildefonso, D. 12, Minerva 11, Oczon 9, Clemente 8, Gaye 6, Mangayao 6, Yu 6, Mosqueda 5, Diputado 4, Chatman 3, Joson 3, Tibayan 2, Gallego 2, Abatayo 1, Galinato 1, Salim 0, Rangel 0. 

JRU 67 – Estrella 14, Delos Santos 10, Miranda 10, Dela Virgen 7, Amores 6, Vasquez 5, Arenal 4, Jungco 4, Bordon 2, Dionisio 2, Dulalia 2, Padua 1, Steinl 0, Aguilar 0. 

Quarters: 21-18, 46-37, 66-46, 79-67.  

Second Game: 

San Sebastian 85 – Ilagan 28, Calma 18, Bulanadi 15, Villapando 8, Bonleon 6, Desoyo 4, Are 4, Calahat 2, Dela Cruz 0, Sumoda 0, Loristo 0, Tero 0, Suico 0, Baclay 0, Isidro 0, Altamirano 0.

UST 81 – Abando 21, Nonoy 18, Concepcion 16, Paraiso 13, Marcos 5, Bataller 4, Ando 2, Huang 2, Tarranza 0, Talampas 0, Bordeos 0. 

Quarters: 22-15, 45-30, 57-56, 85-81.

– Rappler.com