For the veteran forward, that decision was all worth it despite their dismal campaign.
"Naisip ko na kailangan tapusin ‘yung last playing year kasi sayang eh. ‘Yun din ‘yung sabi sa akin ng magulang ko sa akin, na tapusin ko na lang daw," Calahat said.
"Wala naman akong pinagsisihan sa desisyon ko, sa desisyon ng magulang ko na bumalik dito. Oo (worth it siya)."
(I thought I needed to finish my last playing year so it won't go to waste. My parents also told me to finish it. I have no regrets with that decision to return. It is worth it.)
The 6-foot-2 bruiser made sure every game in his final year in the NCAA counted.
He was the top performing player for the Stags in their 6-12 win-loss card, averaging 13.22 points, 7.83 rebounds, 1.89 assists, 1.56 steals, and 0.61 blocks. He capped his impressive run with a season-high 24-point outburst in their final game against Arellano University on Friday spiked with 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
San Sebastian assistant coach Juan Miguel Martin said they purposely let their graduating players play the most minutes and he's glad they delivered to mark their exits.
Aside from Calahat, senior guard Alex Desoyo listed 19 points, three rebounds, and four assists while Jessie Sumoda collected five markers and six boards.
"First of all gusto lang naman namin na ma-enjoy ng mga seniors namin ‘yung last game nila so as you can see, pinatapos talaga namin ‘yung almost buong fourth quarter doon sa tatlong graduating students namin kasi we just wanted to give back to them," Martin shared.
"We are glad na nakuha namin ‘yung panalo kasi gusto naming bigyan sila ng magandang exit sa NCAA."
(First of all, we want our seniors to enjoy this last game so as you can see, we played them in the fourth quarter because we wanted to give back to them. We are glad we got the win because we wanted to give a good exit for them from the NCAA.)
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
