Staglets outlast Cubs in 3 OTs, rule PSSBC

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian College-Recoletos wore down five-time reigning NCAA champion San Beda in triple overtime and hacked out a 108-102 victory to capture the second Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) crown at the SGS Gym on Araneta Ave. Quezon City last Saturday.

Guard Lorenzo Fernando Navarro came through with a sterling triple-double job of 32 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists as he helped the Staglets snap the Red Cubs’ 27-game win run stretching back to their 20-game sweep of the recent NCAA championship.

Bucking a poor start, Navarro picked up his game in the second half and was at his best in the third extension when he led the team’s decisive breakaway with two triples, finally defusing San Beda’s repeated rallies.

He pumped in eight points in the third overtime to win the Finals MVP plum in the tournament sponsored by Welcoat Paints, Hapee Toothpaste, Ever Bilena, MEC Computer, Wrangler, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Ironcon Builders, Dickies Underwear, Davies Paint and Spray & Seal Tire Sealant and Rain or Shine.

On its way to the championship, worth P50,000, San Sebastian got back at last year’s tormentor Hope Christian High School in the semis then stunned the Alvin Tolentino-less San Beda in a grueling championship clash.

Meanwhile, the PSSBC officials, led by last year’s chairman Dr. Cecilio Pedro, donated P100,000 to the GMA Foundation to help the victims of super typhoon Yolanda.

Hope Christian salvaged third place as it rallied to beat Mapua, 80-72.

Rhanzelle Yong backed up Navarro for San Sebastian with a double-double performance of 26 points and 21 rebounds that went with three blocks while Ryan Costelo added 22 markers.

“This is for the players because they refused to give up, they simply refused to lose,” said SSC coach Raymond Valenzona. “I told them that it would be sweet if we’d be able to beat the NCAA champion.”

“The triple overtime is a proof of league’s level of play,” said Edster Sy, the lead organizer of the tournament.

Without Tolentino, who served out a one-game suspension, San Beda went to Joshua Andrei Caracut, who fired 30 points, including five treys. His back-to-back triples in the final 12.9 seconds capped a 15-5 run that forced the first overtime at 75.

San Beda appeared headed for its 28th win after seizing a 87-85 lead on Caracut’s triple. But Navarro rose to the occasion, scoring on a spin move to send the game into second overtime. The game was extended again for the third time when Caracut banged in another triple.