Filoil: Stags snare Falcons

CALVIN Abueva drained a pair of key triples inside the final two minutes to lift San Sebastian to their first victory over Adamson, 78-68, in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Abueva buried a game-high 29 points on top of another all-around outing of 15 rebounds, eight assists, three blocks and a steal as the powerhouse NCAA squad recovered from a 0-2 start.

“This game was a good opportunity to bounce back,” coach Topex Robinson said of his Stags, who plunged into action in the summer tournament days after arriving from a US training camp.

Ian Sangalang also had 16 points, 14 rebounds and a pair of blocks.

The Falcons, who slipped to 2-2, tried to rally behind Roider Cabrera, 63-61, but Abueva and Sangalang responded for the Stags in the final five minutes.

In the second game, La Salle held off University of the Philippines, 64-50, to clinch its third win in four outings. The Maroons fell to 1-4 as veteran Alvin Padilla will serve a one-game suspension due to an unsportsmalike foul.

Meanwhile, commissioner Ato Badolato slapped a two-game suspension on Arellano coach Koy Banal and a one-game ban on St. Benilde’s top gunner Carlo Lastimosa for their involvement in a bench-clearing scuffle in the game won by the Blazers, 67-47, last Wednesday.

Banal, who was punched by Lastimosa, hit St. Benilde player Roel Maconocido in the altercation that stemmed from a hard foul on Arellano’s AJ Serjue. A total of 16 players were ejected in that game. With reports from Jan Edward B. Ballesteros, Randolph B. Leongson and Rodolfo Lozada, Contributors

The scores:

First Game

SAN SEBASTIAN 78—Abueva 29, Sangalang 16, Maiquez 15, Dela Cruz 4, Vitug 4, Rebollos 2, Vinuya 2, Miranda 2, Balucanag 2, Gatchalian 2, Antipuesto 0, Grilli 0.

ADAMSON 68—Cabrera 19, Cruz 13, Brondial 12, Monteclaro 10, Nuyles 5, Cabigas 4, Camson 2, Abrigo 2, Petilos 1, Etrone 0, Julkipli 0, Trollano 0, Rios 0, Olalia 0.

Quarters: 14-13, 33-32, 53-51, 78-68