Stags get back fiery form, rap Pirates

MANILA, Philippines - Its sweep bid foiled by Letran last week, San Sebastian vented its ire on Lyceum and charged back to its winning ways, fashioning out an 80-68 rout yesterday to secure a twice-to-beat-advantage in the Final Four of 87th NCAA seniors basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

The Stags’ Big Three – Calvin Abueva (18 points, 12 rebounds), Ian Sangalang (15 points, 11 boards) and Ronald Pascual (14 points, nine rebounds) – provided the spark anew as SSC bounced back from its 81-82 loss to Letran last Friday, its first setback after a 15-0 start.

“It’s a matter of us recovering from the loss,” said SSC coach Topex Robinson, whose wards (16-1) also completed the Final Four cast by eliminating the Pirates (6-11) and handing idle Jose Rizal (8-9) the fourth and last semis seat.

“What I did with the boys the day after that loss was I called them up, checked on them, made sure they’re still alive. I told them there’s life after loss. And we took the loss as a positive (thing). We always have to learn from a loss, try to pick up whatever we can coming into the Final Four,” he said.

The Pirates dropped to 6-11, no longer capable of catching up with the Bombers for the No. 4 slot even if they beat St. Benilde in their last assignment this season.

In the first game, host Perpetual Help got a measure of pride as it thrashed Arellano, 77-60, to exit on a bright note.

The Stags went on an 18-5 run in the second quarter to break away, 44-26. The Pirates threatened to within 62-66 in the fourth but Abueva and Pascual led a 9-0 counter-attack for a fresh 13-point lead, 1:53 left in the contest.

Robinson said the Stags flexed just enough muscle to beat the Pirates, reserving their strength for their highly-anticipated game against San Beda (14-2) on Wednesday.

“As much as possible, we want to save something for our last game against San Beda. It’s not being complacent against Lyceum but we know it’s going to be a big game afterwards. We came from a win against San Beda and for sure they’re going to come out strong,” he said.

Justine Alano fired 16 points and George Allen added 12 as Perpetual finished with 5-13, capping their campaign with two straight wins, including a 68-53 victory over semis-bound Letran.

“The players already absorbed our system but we ran out of time,” said Perpetual coach Jimwell Gican, adding in jest, “Can’t we just extend this competition to a third round?”

Gican took over the helm in lieu of Boris Aldeguer, who quit a couple of days before the opening and under him, the Altas surpassed their two-win slate last year.

“I told the boys this wasn’t our last game, we’re just getting started and we’ll finish it next season,” said Gican, whose team’s Season 87th highlight was nearly toppling then San Sebastian in a 76-77 setback last Sept. 14.

The Chiefs wound up with 6-12.

The scores:

First game

Perpetual 77 – Alano 16, Allen 12, Vidal 10, Elopre 9, Arboleda 8, Sumera 6, Paulino 5, Asuncion 5, Thompson 3, Parico 3, Sison 0, Jolangcob 0.

Arellano 60 – Acidre 13, Doligon 11, Casino 11, Pagayunan 9, Lapuz 4, Palma 3, Celada 3, Zulueta 3, Salcedo 2, Okpe 1, Del Rosario 0, Gumaru 0, Estoce 0.

Quarterscores: 18-14, 43-27, 60-41, 77-60

Second game

San Sebastian 80 – Abueva 18, Sangalang 15, Pascual 14, J. Dela Cruz 8, Del Rio 7, Antipuesto 5, Maiquez 4, Ferrer 3, Balucanag 3, Vitug 1, Miranda 1, L. dela Cruz 1.

Lyceum 68 – Napiza 13, Francisco 10, Anacta 9, Laude 9, Cayabyab 7, Guevarra 6, Ko 5, Lacap 5, Mallari 3, Azores 1, Lesmoras 0.

Quarterscores: 21-17, 52-35, 65-55, 80-68