Ken Villapando scored the game-winning layup for San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) in their narrow 102-101 win over Colegio de San Juan de Letrán yesterday in the 95th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the San Juan Arena.
Down 101-100, Villapando delivered a fast break layup off a pass from Allyn Bulanadi to take a 102-101 edge with 18 seconds left. Letrán almost salvaged the win, however, both Fran Yu and Edson Batiller misfired three-pointer attempts in the closing seconds of the game.
RK Ilagan top-scored for SSC-R with 22 points and seven assists, while Bulanadi added 21 points, and Alvin Capobres chipped 19 markers.
“Mas gutom ‘yung mga batang manalo eh (The kids were very hungry for a win),” said SSC-R assistant coach Melo Banua, who stood in for Egay Macaraya after the latter was slapped with a one-game suspension./ASC, WDJ