Ian Sangalang proved equal to the challenge when Calvin Abueva was ejected, steering San Sebastian to an 83-75 trouncing of Lyceum last night in the 88th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The 6-foot-6 center finished with 20 points and 17 boards as the Stags bucked the absence of reigning MVP Abueva for majority of the second half to nail their eighth win in 11 games and stay second behind San Beda.
Abueva, the current leader in the MVP race, was slapped with a disqualifying foul for hitting Lyceum forward Vence Laude with a closed fist in the nape with 6:08 left in the third.
But the Stags were galvanized after his ejection, going on a 15-4 tear to turn a four-point lead to a 66-51 advantage.
The Stags played their first game after the resignation of coach Topex Robinson, who is now an assistant coach with Alaska in the PBA.
More than an automatic suspension, Abueva’s infraction also meant his disqualification from the MVP race.
“Calvin plays with a lot of emotion but he shouldn’t have let this happened to him,” said San Sebastian interim coach Allan Trinidad.
Earlier, Letran overcame Mapua, 72-60, to snap a two-game slide.
The scores:
First Game
LETRAN 72—Cortes 19, Racal 12, K. Alas 11, Cruz 8, Lituania 6, Belorio 6, Almazan 4, J. Alas 4, Gabawan 2, Luib 0.
MAPUA 60—Parala 17, G. Banal 14, J. Banal 11, Ighalo 9, Nimes 7, Eriobu 2, Saitanan 0, Estrella 0, Brana 0, Chien 0, Cantos 0, Stevens 0.
Quarters: 20-9, 40-22, 55-42, 72-60
Second Game
SAN SEBASTIAN 83—Sangalang 20, Abueva 16, Miranda 12, Dela Cruz 9, Antipuesto 8, Rebullos 5, Juico 4, Balucanag 4, Maiquez 3, Pascual 2, Binuya 0, Vitug 0.
LYCEUM 75—Ko 23, Mallari 15, Cayabyab 11, Laude 10, Guevarra 6, Garcia 4, Francisco 4, Alanaes 2, Ambohot 0, Azores 0, Mendoza 0, Martinez 0, Edding 0.
Quarters: 22-13, 48-33, 53-72, 83-75