INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines?Defending champion San Sebastian Stags avoided a late collapse as it turned back De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 88-81, in the 2011 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premiere Cup Wednesday at the Arena in San Juan City.

Calvin Abueva continued his dominant ways with another double-double with 28 points and 18 boards for the Stags, who blew a double digit lead.

Luigi Dela Paz shot majority of his 16 points in a crucial stretch which helped the Archers claw back and even led by two, 74-72, after trailing by as much as 17.

But San Sebastian's defense would hold its own when it mattered most as it drew crucial errors down the stretch that halted La Salle's furious fightback.

Meanwhile, Fil-American Greg Slaughter notched a double-double to lead Ateneo's beatdown of Lyceum, 92-77.

Towering everybody else with his six-foot-11 stance, Slaughter had 17 points and 12 rebounds on top of 3 blocks.

Versatile forward Nico Salva chipped in with 14 points for the Blue Eagles, who shot at a decent 52 % from the field.

In the curtain raiser, marksman Allen Etrone poured in 12 of his 16 from downtown as Adamson turned back University of the East, 70-61.

The Falcons dictated the tempo and banked on their stingy defense that forced 20 errors from the Red Warriors.

La Salle dropped its second game in three stints while San Sebastian improved to 1-1.