San Sebastian survives St. Benilde in Filoil Preseason Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Perennial NCAA contender San Sebastian survived St. Benilde, 80-78, Wednesday night in the 2012 FilOil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup at the Arena in San Juan.

The Stags led, 77-70, on a basket by Ian Sangalang with 30 seconds left but couldn’t put the Blazers away.

“The thing is teams have really improved. We have to give credit to Benilde, they never stopped playing,” said SSC head coach Topex Robinson.

“It tested the character of my guards and how well our execution come end game,” added Robinson, whose squad leveled its win-loss record to 2-2.

San Sebastian had three chances to seal the game at the line but Calvin Abueva, Lyle Antipuesto and Jov dela Cruz had one missed free throw each.

Jonathan Grey’s halfcourt heave went straight but was way short as CSB reeled to its fourth loss in five outings.

Sangalang fired a game-high 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to go along with three blocks.

Abueva played through a sprained ankle but still scattered 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Flashy swingman Ronald Pascual remained at the sidelines as he continued to recuperate from an ACL injury.

Pascual’s time table of return is end of June just in time for the opening of the NCAA Season 88, Robinson said.