INQUIRER Sports

GAMES FRIDAY (FilOil Flying V Arena)
2 p.m.—JRU vs Perpetual (Srs)
4 p.m.—Mapua vs St. Benilde (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian shocked three-time champion San Beda, 83-77, to grab the early lead in the 85th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Jimbo Aquino rattled off 18 of his 26 points from beyond the arc, including three straight triples in the final period that helped the Stags seal their second straight victory Wednesday.

The Stags also drew a superb game from rookie center Ian Sangalang, who had 16 markers, 10 rebounds and two blocks.

“I told my players if we want to contend for the title we need to beat a champion team like San Beda,” said new coach Ato Agustin after the Stags snapped a seven-game losing streak against the Lions that started July 13, 2005.

Guest squad Arellano University completed the day of upsets as the Chiefs survived the Letran Knights’ late rally in the second game for an 81-73 victory that propelled them on top with the Stags.

Giorgio Ciriacruz topscored with 17 points, including five straight in the final minute that kept the Chiefs afloat after the Knights threatened at 72-68.

“I told the team to just enjoy the game because we have nothing to lose,” said Arellano coach Junjie Ablan.

Ciriacruz and Andrian Celada combined to lift the Chiefs ahead by as many as 20 points, 46-26, in the second quarter.

Aquino, who averaged only 7.1 points last season, scored all his 12 points in the fourth quarter from three-point range.

A six-foot guard from Tarlac, Aquino buried three straight triples that pushed the Stags ahead at 71-70 with six minutes from 62-68.

The senior scores:

First Game
SAN SEBASTIAN 83—Aquino 26, Sangalang 16, Bulawan 10, Semira 8, Maconocido 7, Abueva 6, Raymundo 6, Pascual 4, Gatchalian 0, Del Rio 0, Najorda 0.

SAN BEDA 77—Gamalinda 15, Pascual 14, Lanete 13, Daniel 11, Dela Rosa 9, Tirona 6, Hermida 4, Marcelo 3, Caram 2, Taganas 0, Tecson 0.
Quarters: 20-25, 43-46, 60-63, 83-77

Second Game
ARELLANO 81—G. Ciriacruz 17, Celada 14, Apostol 12, Miranda 11, I. Ciriacruz 9, Tayongtong 5, Reducto 5, Dimla 5, Agustin 3.

LETRAN 73—Guevarra 17, Belencion 15, K. Alas 8, Jazul 8, Cortes 7, Del Rosario 7, Foronda 7, Kr. Alas 2, Gutilban 2, Taplah 0.
Quarters: 18-15, 47-32, 62-50, 81-73