It took San Sebastian College-Recoletos two extra periods to finally savor the sweet taste of success – make it a hard one – in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament.
And as the saying goes, first win is always sweet.
SSC-R coach Rob Lagabala readily agreed as he paid tribute to Ian Cuajao and Jhuniel Dela Rama after the two made clutch plays in leading the Stags to a 100-94 double overtime win over the Lyceum Pirates on Friday, Oct. 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
It was SSC’s first win in the grand old league in a long while, and the first for Labagala in the league being a former UE star.
“Before we were able to get this win, ang hirap ng pinagdaanan namin,” said an emotional Labagala. “Pero, it’s a good win for us kasi it’s not just a positive thing to win, nakakuha din kami ng ganitong klaseng experience as early as now.”
As expected , the game was a neck-and-neck affair up until the waning seconds of the second extra period with the Red Dynasty-backed Stags holding on to a 95-92 lead over the Pirates with 2:10 remaining in the game.
Ato Barba, who finished with a game-high 32 points, sank an inside short stab to cut Lyceum’s deficit to one, 95-94, with 41 ticks to go, giving the Pirates some breathing room.
But Cuajao sank the dagger triple for the San Sebastian win, 98-94, with 20 seconds to go. He finished with 25 points. Helping Cuajao on the Golden Stags were Christian Ricio’s 25 points and Dela Rama’s monster double-double of 15 points and 23 rebounds.
The scores:
SAN SEBASTIAN 100 – Cuajao 25, Ricio 25, Dela Rama 15, Castor 12, Felebrico 8, Lumanag 6, Gabat 6, Nepacena 3, Velasco 0, Cabilla 0, Dimaunahan 0, Are 0.
LYCEUM 94 – Barba 32, Moralejo 19, Villegas 15, Versoza 6, Daileg 6, Peñafiel 6, Abregana 6, Montaño 2, Casiño 2, Aurige 0, Aviles 0, Pallingayan 0, Dural 0, Gordon 0.
Quarters: 19-27, 41-50, 62-63, 75-75 (reg.), 87-87 (OT), 100-94 (2OT).
