Photo by August dela Cruz
MANILA, Philippines—Emerging from the shadows of his more illustrious teammates, Ian Sangalang spearheaded San Sebastian’s rise in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League recently.
With their enemies focusing on how to stop his teammate Calvin Abueva and with ace shooter Ronald Pascual out with an injury, Sangalang stepped up when the Stags needed him most, lifting them to the championship—a first for an NCAA squad.
Abueva proved solid, but it was the 6-foot-6 Sangalang’s efficient play that made the difference and earned for him the Most Valuable Player honor in the tournament that gathered the finest collegiate teams in the country.
Sangalang had 19 points and 15 rebounds, forming a superb 1-2 punch with Abueva in the 73-67 victory over defending champion and UAAP titlist Ateneo in their winner-take-all Game 3 duel last week at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Standouts from the basketball hotbed of Pampanga, Sangalang and Abueva were joined in the mythical five by Ateneo’s Greg Slaughter and Nico Salva, as well as University of Cebu center Junmar Fajardo.
Stags rookie mentor Topex Robinson was named Coach of the Year, while the Best Performing Referee award went to Romy Mangibin.
Also feted were North Central Luzon champion University of Northern Philippines, South Luzon-Bicol titlist University of Batangas, Visayas winner AMA and Mindanao titleholder STI.
“The awardees deserve recognition for their outstanding achievements during the season-ending nationwide event,” PCCL executive director Joe Lipa said.