INQUIRER Sports

VETERAN JIMBO AQUINO CONTINUED his solid play and rookie Calvin Abueva produced his finest game of the season as San Sebastian pummeled St. Benilde, 75-62, yesterday to seize the solo lead in the 85th NCAA men?s basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena.

Aquino, who averaged 23 points in the first two games, fired 17 this time, including two clutch jumpers that kept the surging Blazers at bay in the fourth period and allowed the Stags to roll to their third straight victory.

The 6-foot-3 Abueva, a power forward, matched Aquino?s output and pulled down 10 rebounds in 21 minutes. He made eight points in a third quarter burst that turned a five-point deficit to a 14-point bubble which proved too big to overhaul for the Blazers.

The first loss in three games dropped St. Benilde into a tie for third place with San Beda and Arellano.

?We?re happy that we are on top,? said San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin. ?But we still have 15 games to go and we still need to improve.?
Earlier, Letran finally cracked the winning column by coming from behind to pip Perpetual Help, 73-68.

In juniors? play, Letran joined San Beda on top after scoring its third straight win at the expense of Perpetual Help, 96-91, while defending champion San Sebastian improved to 2-1 with a 73-51 dumping of St. Benilde.

The seniors scores:
LETRAN 73?Jazul 24, Guevarra 14, del Rosario 11, Cortes 7, Datang 4, Kr. Alas 4, Ke. Alas 3, Taplah 2, Foronda 2, Gutilban 2, Belencion 0.

PERPETUAL HELP 68?Ynion 19, Salvado 10, Galabin 9, Salanga 8, Liaz 7, Elopre 6, Rono 5, Carullo 4, Vivero 0, Hainga 0.
Quarters: 24-22, 40-39, 50-59, 73-68

SAN SEBASTIAN 75?Abueva 17, Aquino 17, Bulawan 10, Pascual 9, Maconocido 6, Najorda 6, Gusi 3, Semira 2, Sangalang 2, del Rio 2, Raymundo 1, Marquez 0, Gatchalian 0.

ST. BENILDE 62?Mañalac 12, Dalanon 11, Morial 9, Johnston 8, Manlapaz 8, Urra 6, dela Paz 2, de Guzman 2, Ablucion 2, Montecastro 2, Wong 0.
Quarters: 12-12, 30-27, 48-38, 75-62