JM Calma and Rommel Calahat led San Sebastian College-Recoletos' fourth quarter rally en route to a 63-58 come-from-behind win against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in the NCAA Season 97 on Friday.
Down by one in the fourth, Calma proved he can shoot from downtown as he drained a triple that gave them a 57-55 lead with 2:33 left in the game.
After a crucial turnover from the side of the Altas, the troika of Calahat, Calma, and Ken Villapando then combined for six straight points as their lead ballooned to a 63-55 spread.
John Abis would still make his three-pointer for Perpetual, 63-58, but time ran out for the Las Piñas side to turn the game around.
Calahat finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, and four assists to lead the Stags. Calma posted 14 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks while Ichie Altamirano added 12 markers.
The win formally allowed San Sebastian to barge into the win column for an even 1-1 card while Perpetual dropped to 1-1 as well.
The win spoiled a stellar showing from Perpetual guard Jielo Razon, whose hot hand had his side leading for most of the game only to find themselves trailing down the stretch.
After a flat start where the two teams combined for just 14 points in the opening period, Razon turned things around for the Altas in the second quarter, firing three triples as they ended the first half leading by five, 28-23. It was a better showing than their eight-point production in the opening period.
Also hot all game long, San Sebastian's Altamirano tied things up at 36-apiece but Razon drilled another two three-pointers for a 45-40 spread in the third. The penultimate quarter ended with Perpetual holding on to a slim three-point lead, 47-44.
But it was all San Sebastian in the fourth as they bounced back from an opening day loss to Arellano University, where they squandered their lead en route to the defeat.
Razon paced Perpetual with 22 points, including six three-pointers on 50-percent shooting from beyond the arc.
Perpetual is up for a hectic schedule as it faces defending champions Letran immediately on Sunday at 12 p.m. while San Sebastian returns to action next Tuesday against Mapua.
The scores:
SAN SEBASTIAN 63 — Calahat 17, Calma 14, Altamirano 12, Villapando 6, Sumoda 5, Una 4, Desoyo 2, Abarquez 2, Are 1, Loristo 0, Re. Gabat 0, Felebrico 0, Cosari 0.
PERPETUAL 58 — Razon 22, Aurin 7, Abis 7, Barcuma 6, Egan 4, Omega 4, Ferreras 4, Martel 2, Sevilla 2, Nunez 0, Cuevas 0, Pagaran 0.
Quarters: 6-8, 23-28, 44-47, 63-58.
—JMB, GMA News
