The San Sebastian Stags came agonizingly close to a statement win in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, but the PFC Pelicans held on for a nail-biting 68–66 victory at the San Juan Arena on June 26, 2026. The contest, played in front of a lively midday crowd, served as an early litmus test for both squads as they fine-tune their rotations ahead of the NCAA and other collegiate leagues.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, it was clear that defense would dictate the tempo. The Pelicans built a modest lead in the first quarter, capitalizing on crisp ball movement and a disciplined zone defense that forced the Stags into difficult perimeter shots. San Sebastian, however, responded with intensity in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to just three points at halftime, 34–31.

Second-Half Drama

The third quarter saw the Stags tie the game on multiple occasions, only for PFC to counter with timely buckets in transition. The Pelicans leaned on their frontcourt strength, controlling the boards and converting second-chance opportunities. But San Sebastian refused to fade. In the final frame, a 7–0 run gave the Stags their first lead of the match with under four minutes to play.

With the score knotted at 64–64 and the clock winding down, the Pelicans’ guard play proved decisive. A midrange jumper with 1:12 remaining put PFC up by two. After a defensive stop, they added a free throw to stretch the lead to three. San Sebastian had a chance to tie in the closing seconds, but a contested three-point attempt clanked off the rim, sealing the 68–66 result.

Standout Performers

• PFC Pelicans: A balanced scoring attack saw four players reach double figures. The team’s veteran forward anchored the paint with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while the lead guard chipped in 16 points and 5 assists.
• San Sebastian Stags: The Stags were led by their sophomore shooting guard, who poured in a game-high 22 points, including four three-pointers. Their big man added 10 points and 8 rebounds but fouled out late in the fourth quarter.

Turning Point

PFC’s ability to execute in the half-court during the final three minutes proved decisive. After San Sebastian took its only lead of the game at 64–63, the Pelicans ran a high pick-and-roll that resulted in a clean look for their shooting guard, who calmly knocked down a 15-footer. On the ensuing defensive possession, they forced a shot-clock violation, swinging momentum back in their favor for good.

What It Means

For the Pelicans, the victory builds confidence as they continue their preseason campaign. Defensive consistency and rebounding remain their calling cards. San Sebastian, meanwhile, will take heart from the way they battled back from an early deficit, but will need to clean up their late-game decision-making. Both teams are expected to be competitive when the NCAA season tips off later in the year.