San Sebastian College-Recoletos completed the week of upsets in the league after trouncing an undermanned Mapua University side, 57-56, in NCAA Season 98 on Sunday.
Romel Calahat led the way with a huge double-double of 17 points and 17 rebounds for San Sebastian.
The Stags improved to 2-1 while Mapua absorbed back-to-back losses to drop to 1-2.
After trailing by six early in the second period, Mapua rode a strong ending to the frame with an 11-4 run led by Arvin Gamboa and Toby Agustin, 32-30.
Rence Nocum then waxed hot in the third, where he scored 10 of his team-high 15 points.
The Cardinals' senior guard led the way in the penultimate frame as their lead ballooned to eight, 42-34, after a triple from him.
But the Stags were able to hang on, heading to the fourth trailing by just four, 46-42, and they chipped away until Calahat was able to give the Stags the lead, 49-48, with 6:52 left in the game.
Two triples from Calahat and Kenneth Villapando then sent San Sebastian to a 55-49 cushion before a long bomb from Joaqui Garcia made it a 57-56 affair still in favor of the Stags.
Agustin had the chance to give Mapua back the lead but he missed both his free throws off a Calahat foul and Garcia went wide on his potential game-winning triple.
Calahat was the lone player in double figures for San Sebastian while Jessie Sumoda and Kenneth Villapando added seven points each.
Mapua played sans Bryan Lacap while Gamboa, Paolo Hernandez, and Garcia suffered separate injuries during the game. Only Garcia managed to return to the game.
—JMB, GMA News
