Bulanadi tows SSC to Final 4

Bulanadi’s production is the highest ever this season. #NCAA95 #AllynBulanadi #SanSebastianStags

Allyn Bulanadi towed San Sebastian College to the Final Four in style as he fired a career-high 44 points in their 99-94 win over University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in Season 92 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament Friday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Bulanadi, a gem of a recruit from Davao City, connived with RK Ilagan to power the Golden Stags to a nail-biting win and a slot in the Final Four of the oldest collegiate league in the country.

Unbeaten San Beda University punched the first finals slot following a clean sweep of the double-round eliminations, leaving San Sebastian and Letran College disputing to gain the right to face second seed Lyceum of the Philippines University in the stepladder semifinals.

Then, the victor will face the Red Lions in the best-of-three finals showdown.

First round of the stepladder semis unwraps on 5 November while the second round is set three days later. Best-of-three finals series starts on 12 November.

Bulanadi poured 12 of his 44 points in the crucial stretch on top of eight rebounds and four assists with seven three-pointers while Ilagan fired 22 markers for San Sebastian, which shut down its campaign in the eliminations with an 11-7 win-loss card.

Bulanadi’s production is the highest ever this season.

Lim Eng Beng still holds the single game scoring record when he fired 55 points for De La Salle University in 1971 while Robert Bolick erupted for 50 points for San Beda in 2018, John Wilson registered 48 points for Jose Rizal University in 2009 and Bright Akhuetie delivered 44 markers for Perpetual in 2015.

“Well, what else can I say – Allyn is Allyn. He is ready for the big league. He would definitely be a big loss for us once he graduates,” said San Sebastian coach Egay Macaraya, who expressed elation over the timely eruption of his prized ward.

“I know how hard they worked for this win and Allyn had done everything.”

Bulanadi said they did their best to pull off the victory, knowing that a spot in the post-season is at stake.

After all, a setback could have thrown them into a sudden-death playoff match against Mapua University, making it even harder for them to advance to the next round.

“We practiced like there was no tomorrow because coach said that this is the perfect time for us to advance to the Final Four,” said Bulanadi, who tried his best to avoid the Cardinals.

“We wanted an early rest. Had we lost this game, we would be facing Mapua in the playoffs.”

Trailing by 11 entering the payoff period, the Altas uncorked a 14-1 run to grab a 79-77 lead. Then, San Sebastian turned on the hot hands of Bulanadi, who scattered 15 markers, including a clutch trey in the 1:42 mark that gave the Stags a 93-88 cushion to seal the win.

In his final game in the league, Edgar Charcos dropped 22 points, six rebounds and seven assists while Kim Aurin posted 20 markers, six rebounds and four assists for the Altas, who closed their campaign this season with a 5-13 win-loss mark.