MANILA, Philippines—It was business as usual for San Sebastian as the Stags breezed through the Arellano University Chiefs, 97-70, to hike their unbeaten streak to 11 Wednesday in the 87th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Top most valuable player candidate Calvin Abueva posted 23 points and 14 rebounds while Ian Sangalang topscored with 24 markers on top of nine boards for San Sebastian.
The Stags went on a 19-3 blitz to start the third period capped by a pair of freebies from Abueva that stretched San Sebastian’s lead to its biggest, 63-30, exactly at the 5:00 mark.
Arellano, which has been hitting its stride as of late, just didn’t have enough manpower to contain the stampeding Stags, who also drew an all-around effort from swingman Ronald Pascual.
Pascual did his damage from the outside en route to an 18-point night while also collecting 17 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. He did however, turned the ball over nine times.
The Chiefs, fighting to stay in contention for that elusive final four berth, dropped to seventh place with a 4-8 card.