Stags blow past Blazers

SAN Sebastian standout Calvin Abueva (top) and Saint Benilde’s Juan Taha go for the loose ball in yesterday’s rout at Filoil Flying V Arena. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Aching to redeem himself, Calvin Abueva returned with aplomb to fuel San Sebastian past St. Benilde, 92-72, last night in the 88th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The league’s reigning Most Valuable Player dished out his third triple double of the season with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists as the Stags notched a 10th win in 13 games to keep second spot.

Later, Jett Vidal exploded for a career-high 32 points as Perpetual Help got back at Jose Rizal U, 88-72.

Finding his rhythm early, Vidal waxed hot from beyond the arc, nailing five of 10 triples on his way to tying the league-best output, also posted by San Sebastian’s Ronald Pascual.

With the victory, the Altas improved to 8-4, forging a tie with their victims at third spot.

“I really wanted to make up for my mistake in the last game,” said Abueva, the PBA’s No. 2 draft pick by Alaska who was handed a one-game suspension because of a disqualifying foul against Lyceum.

The infraction also disqualified Abueva from the MVP race, which he leads, but the forward from Pampanga knows there are bigger goals for him to achieve this season.

With Abueva either scoring at will or finding open teammates, the Stags built a double-digit lead late in the second half and never looked back to pin a ninth loss on the Blazers.

Ian Sangalang and Ronald Pascual paced the Stags with 20 points each as San Sebastian’s Big Three that also includes Abueva combined for 57 points in another tremendous display of firepower.

The Stags got an unexpected lift from seldom-used Joseph Gusi, who posted a career-high 11 points in his second game.

San Sebastian coach Allan Trinidad said the blowout win should give the Stags plenty of confidence for the tougher grind ahead.

The scores:

First Game

SAN SEBASTIAN 92—Sangalang 20, Pascual 20, Abueva 17, Gusi 11, Maiquez 10, Miranda 6, Juico 4, Antipuesto 2, Dela Cruz 2, Rebullos 0, Binuya 0.

ST. BENILDE 72—Lastimosa 22, Taha 13, Grey 9, Ongteco 6, Altamirano 6, Tan 6, Sinco 4, Bartolo 2, Deles 2, Dela Paz 2, Maconocido 0, Romero 0, Carlos 0.

Quarters: 18-12, 43-28, 69-48, 92-72

Second Game:

PERPETUAL 88—Vidal 32, Thompson 13, Allen 12, Omorogbe 9, Alano 7, Babayemi 6, Elopre 5, Paulino 4, Jolangcob 0, Arboleda 0.

JRU 72—Matute 16, Lopez 14, Carampil 12, Villarias 8, Camasura 6, Mabulac 4, Almario 4, Dela Paz 3, Mendoza 3, Salaveria 2, Maconocido 0, Monserat 0.

Quarters: 23-18, 42-32, 65-52, 88-72