No stopping Stags, Abueva
MANILA, Philippines–Where Calvin Abueva goes, the San Sebastian Stags follow. Abueva continued to spell the difference for the Stags Friday by powering the defending champions to a tough 72-59 decision over the Jose Rizal U Heavy Bombers Friday in the 86th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan. Abueva scored 16 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and collected four steals as the Stags stretched their unbeaten start to five games to share top spot with the San Beda Red Lions. “He’s always been aggressive, even in practice,” said San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin. “He was the reason why we were able to control this game.” Abueva limited the effectiveness of the JRU full-court press in the final period, going coast-to-coast twice for layups, the last giving San Sebastian a 61-47 lead heading into the last four minutes. Ronald Pascual scored 14 points and Pamboy Raymundo contributed 13 for the Stags, who outrebounded the Bombers, 49-34. “The game plan was to limit their shooters and contain [Joe] Etame and we were able to do that,” said Agustin. “And we were ready for their full-court press.” JRU gunners JR Bulangis, Raycon Kabigting and Nate Matute pooled just 14 points on a combined 1-of-9 shooting from three-point range. The Stags seized their first double-digit lead at 35-24 and the Bombers never drew closer than eight points from there. Earlier, Mark Acosta fired 20 points built on five triples as Mapua pounced on short-handed Letran, 66-51, to tighten its grip of fourth spot with its third win in five outings. “He (Acosta) really made an effort to polish his shooting skill,” said Mapua coach Chito Victolero. In juniors action, Cris dela Paz hit a free throw with six seconds left as JRU rallied past San Sebastian, 70-69, while Letran Squires hammered out an 89-83 win over Mapua. The senior scores: First Game MAPUA 66—Acosta 20, Banal 8, Pascual 7, Cronejo 6, Guillermo 6, Ranises 6, Mangahas 5, Parala 5, Mangahas 5, Stevens 3, Sarangay 0. LETRAN 51—Dysam 12, Belencion 10, Espiritu 8, Taplah 8, Cortes 7, Alejandro 3, Kr. Alas 2, Belorio 1, Almazan 0, Pantin 0. Quarters: 20-17, 34-30, 50-40, 66-51 Second Game SAN SEBASTIAN 72—Abueva 16, Pascual 14, Raymundo 13, Bulawan 9, del Rio 8, Sangalang 4, Gorospe 4, Semira 2, Gatchalian 2, Maconocido 0. JRU 59—Hayes 16, J. Lopez 12, Etame 10, Bulangis 9, Kabigting 5, Njei 3, Almario 2, Matute 2, Montemayor 0, M. Lopez 0, Apinan 0. Quarters: 20-16, 35-24, 51-41, 72-59
