The win was a massive bounce back for the Golden Stags, climbing to a 2-3 record as JM Calma paced the Recto squad with career-high 23 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists.

The 6-foot-6 Calma was eager to recover from their team’s loss against San Beda as the team showed dominance all throughout the game, delivering 19 points during the first half and enjoying a 46-29 lead.

The Pirates were also looking forward to a back-to-back win as they refused to give up. In the third frame, Enoch Valdez went for a layup, followed by back-to-back triples from Renzo Navarro and a basket by Vincent Cunanan, cutting the gap to 51-59, with the Stags still in the lead.

San Sebastian continued to push in the final frame, taking the lead, 68-62 with less than three minutes left.

But Calma refused to let the team’s efforts go to waste as he delivered a long jumper while Ken Villapando drilled five straight points, 80-69, and thereafter gave Lyceum their fourth loss. 

Omar Larupay paced Lyceum with 14 points, 11 rebounds, two steals, and one block, while Enoch Valdez had 12 points, five boards, three dimes, and two steals.

San Sebastian will face Emilio Aguinaldo College on Wednesday while Lyceum and Colegio de San Juan de Letran will square off on Sunday.

The scores:

San Sebastian 83 – Calma 23, Calahat 15, Villapando 12, Sumoda 8, Una 8, Dela Cruz 5, Gabat 4, Shanoda 4, Felebrico 2, Cosari 2, Desoyo 0, Abarquez 0.

Lyceum 71 – Larupay 14, Valdez 12, Navarro 11, Guinto 8, Bravo 7, Guadana 7, Remulla 4, Cunanan 2, Garro 2, Umali 2, Barba 2.

Quarters: 23-20, 46-29, 61-51, 83-71