San Sebastian snaps 26-game win streak of San Beda for a perfect first round

MANILA, Philippines–San Sebastian sent San Beda packing with a taut 70-68 triumph and ended its historic 26-game winning streak Friday in the 87th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at a jampacked Arena in San Juan.

The Stags clamped down on the defense in the final two minutes and thwarted any scoring chances for San Beda as the last year’s runner-up carved out a perfect record at the end of the first round.

San Sebastian’s explosive one-two-punch of Ronald Pascual and Calvin Abueva headlined the assault with 23 and 21 points, in that order, even as Ian Sanggalang added nine points.

But for neophyte coach Topex Robinson of the Stags, it wasn’t just their ‘big three’ that carried them through to their ninth win sans a loss.

“It wasn’t about the big three, it’s about everyone. I just told them defense is 10 percent technique and 90 percent effort,” said Robinson, whose squad outhustled the usually-tenacious Red Lions, doubling their turnover points (18-8).

“We really prepared for this. It’s been hard losing, we really had a hard time against them. This season, we will really fight back,” said Abueva.

Main man Garvo Lanete fired in a team-best 18 points for the Red Lions, but went scoreless in the nip-and-tuck fourth quarter.

The game saw 21 lead changes as both squad exchanged baskets in the entire fourth quarter, until Abueva’s go-ahead power move with over two minutes left.

San Beda had multiple chances down the stretch, but could not capitalize on the stops as the ball ended up in the wrong hands.

Stocky forward Dave Marcelo misfired on a what-could-have-been a game-clinching trey—a shot intended for Lanete.

It was the first loss of San Beda, which concluded the first round with a good for second 8-1 record, since last season which included the sweep of San Sebastian in the finals.