Stags stave off Bombers, notch solo lead

MANILA, Philippines – San Sebastian drew a career performance from CJ Perez as it survived a late surge from Jose Rizal as it eked out an 88-81 victory to snare the solo lead in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City Wednesday.

Perez erupted for 29 points, eclipsing his previous best 28 points in his team's 58-53 win over Lyceum in the second round last year, as the Stags jumped to the top with two wins, including an 85-83 win over the Letran Knights in Saturday's inaugurals at the MOA Arena in Pasay.

Bradwyn Guinto also came through with 14 points and 12 rebounds while skipper Jovit dela Cruz scattered 13 points in a win that San Sebastian coach Topex Robinson saw as a total team effort.

"CJ, Bradwyn and Jovit stepped up. The rookies too. It was really team effort that propelled us to this win," said Robinson.

Earlier, Emilio Aguinaldo College flaunted its bench depth, including a pair of rookie prize finds as it downed St. Benilde, 81-72, to bare its title intention early.

John Tayongtong and Cameroonian Noube Happi came through with the worthiest performances with the former coming through with 14 points, six assists, four rebounds and four steals and latter doing everything with 12 points, 17 boards, three blocks, two steals and the same number of dimes.

Jack Arquero and Jan Jamon scattered 14 and 13 points, respectively, to help the cause.

Ariel Aguilar and Jerald Serrnao, neophytes out of EAC high school and University of Manila, drew the most praises from their coach after a pair of auspicious starts.

Aguilar played some quality minutes at the point and had 12 points and four dimes while the lanky 6-6 Serrano made a good account of himself as a floor-spacing power forward and drained three booming triples to wind up with 11 points.

"Aguilar is a nice fit for us in the backcourt and can play not just the point but the two-guard as well while Serrano is a pretty good stretch four because he can really hit those outside shots although he still needs to play stronger inside," said Esplana.

It was a pretty impressive start for an EAC team that came one victory away from advancing to the Final Four for the first time since joining the league five seasons back.

"We treat every season as a new opportunity to succeed. This year, we will not deny that we want to make it to the Final Four," said Esplana.

The Blazers, who were led by Jeffrey Saavedra's 20 points, were punished by the Generals' backcourt tandem of Tayongtong and Aguilar, who scored on penetrations almost at will while combining for 10 assists, and the 6-8 Happi, who was monster inside.

The scores:

First Game (Srs)

EAC 81- Tayongtong 14, Arquero 14, Jamon 13, Aguilar 13, Happi 12, Serrano 11, King 2, Onwubere 2, Saludo 0

St. Benilde 72- Saavedra 20, Romero 14, Grey 10, Sinco 7, Taha 7, Ongteco 6, Bartolo 5, Nayve 3, Jonson 0, Argamino 0, Deles 0

Quarterscores: 16-12; 33-35; 66-54, 81-72

Second Game (Srs)

San Sebastian 88- Perez 29, Guinto 14, Dela Cruz 13, Calisaan 10, Fabian 6, Yong 6, Balucanag 4, Ortuoste 4, Aquino 2, Alvarez 0, Pretta 0, Costelo 0, Santos 0, Mercado 0

Jose Rizal 81- Paniamogan 21, Teodoro 17, Asuncion 13, Abdul Wahab 10, Benavides 8, Mabulac 6, Manuel 4, Lasquety 2, Sanchez 0, Salaveria 0, Balagtas 0, Grospe 0

Quarterscores: 24-7; 45-33; 72-49; 88-81