Stags crush Cards, catch Lions on top

 MANILA, Philippines - Reigning titlist San Sebastian shut down Mapua in the fourth quarter as it carved out a masterful 68-49 victory yesterday to jump into a tie with San Beda at the helm in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Calvin Abueva led the Stags with 18 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and two assists while Ronald Pascual and Gilbert Bulawan chipped in 17 and 12 points, respectively, although it was the team’s defense that spelled the difference in the end.

After a rollercoaster first three quarters, the Stags shackled the Cardinals, who were held to just four points in the final canto.

“We played really tough defense in the fourth quarter,” said San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin.

The Cardinals absorbed their second loss against the same number of wins.

Earlier, Jose Rizal likewise rolled to its fourth straight win as it turned back St. Benilde, 74-65, to remain at third spot with a 4-1 (win-loss) card.

The Bombers couldn’t score a basket in the final eight and a half minutes but went to the free throw line where they hit 10 of their 15 attempts in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

“If we didn’t hit our free throws we wouldn’t have won this game,” said a disappointed Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses.

Reycon Kabigting led his team with 14 points including seven in the last canto while JR Bulangis and Cameroonian Joe Etame chipped in 13 and 12, respectively.

However, Meneses conceded they took an ugly win as Jose Rizal nearly blew a 12-point fourth quarter advantage.

“We’re playing bad, we have to be consistent, we can’t play like this against San Sebastian next week,” said the former PBA MVP and slam dunk champion.

Carlo Lastimosa, nephew of former PBA star Jojo Lastimosa, sizzled with 19 points he spiked with five assists, two steals and two rebounds but couldn’t get the job done in the final canto when he was held to just a point.

In juniors’ action, Andoy Estrella erupted for 26 points as Mapua stunned San Sebastian, 75-72, to nail its second win against the same number of losses.

Cris dela Paz, for his part, came through with 32 points and 11 rebounds as Jose Rizal edged La Salle-Greenhills, 92-89, in overtime to improve to 3-2.