Streakin' Stags run down Chiefs

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian needed just one big scoring blitz in the first quarter to demolish Arellano U, 80-49, as the Stags stretched their win run to five in the 85th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

The Stags scored 23 unanswered points in the first eight minutes of the contest as the Chiefs fumbled on their offense with the Recoletos-based squad sustaining its pace in the next three periods to complete their runaway victory for the solo lead.

“We learned from our last game, we never relaxed and kept our focus all game long,” said San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin.

Skipper Jimbo Aquino erupted for 27 points, including 17 in the first half. He spiked his game-long brilliance with five treys, five rebounds, four assists and two shot blocks.

The Chiefs, who showed a lot of promise after a 2-0 start, fell to their third straight setback.

Earlier, Letran went to RJ Jazul and Rey Guevarra in the second half as it smothered St. Benilde, 86-69, to move up to solo fourth with a 3-2 (win-loss) slate.

Guevarra took charge in the third with an eight-point explosion while Jazul scattered 10 points in the fourth quarter to power the Knights past the Blazers.

“We need to play big in the third quarter to win. We did just that,” said Letran coach Louie Alas.

The Blazers, paced by Mark de Guzman’s 11 points and Jan Tan’s 10 points, fell to their third setback in row after a 2-0 (win-loss) start.

In juniors action, Glenn Khobuntin collected 18 points and 17 rebounds as Letran rallied to beat CSB-La Salle Greenhills, 85-75, and join San Beda on top with 5-0 (win-loss) slates.

Jerome Delgado and Gino Jumao-as combined for 35 points as reigning four-peat titlist San Sebastian downed Arellano U, 78-63, to improve to 4-1.