Stags, sans Abueva, eye key victory over Chiefs

A San Sebastian squad missing its main man tries to boost its postseason hopes against dangerous Arellano U today in the 88th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Calvin Abueva will sit out the 4 p.m. duel with the Chiefs after getting thrown out due to a grievous  foul in their previous game against Lyceum.

Toting an 8-3 record, the Stags are hoping to reclaim solo second spot behind the San Beda Lions and move closer to a Final Four berth.

Two teams languishing in the cellar—St. Benilde and Lyceum—hope to give their Final Four bids another lifeline when they collide at 6 p.m.

The Blazers are mired in a four-game slump  that started July 25. The Pirates are also in dire straights with a 2-9 card and go into the game on the back of six straight defeats.

Without Abueva, slotman Ian Sangalang is expected to assume a bigger role for the Stags.

The 6-foot-6 center, who averages 19.3 points and 12.6 boards, stepped up in the second half when Abueva was ejected, finishing with 20 points in the 83-75 win over the Pirates.

The Chiefs are coming off a 57-76 loss to the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals.

San Sebastian gunner Ronald Pascual hopes to break out of a shooting slump against the Chiefs.

The 6-foot-2 Pascual, who skipped the PBA Draft, averaged just six points in his last two outings, making just 6 of his 35 shots.