PCCL: Ian Sangalang powers Stags past Bulldogs 75-68

MANILA, Philippines – Ian Sangalang exploded in the second half to push defending champion San Sebastian past National University 75-68 Wednesday in the Southern Island phase of the PCCL at the Cebu Coliseum.

Sangalang, the NCAA MVP, pumped in 26 of his game-high 30 points in the second half as the Stags, who were without Alaska’s second overall pick Calvin Abueva, moved on and will face another UAAP foe next in either De La Salle or Adamson on Sunday in Manila.

The Stags pounced on costly mistakes by the Bulldogs late with Ronald Pascual making two free throws after a technical foul by Emmanuel Mbe before Jovit de la Cruz scored underneath to make it 73-66 with only two minutes left.

Pascual, who along with NLEX teammate Sangalang just came off a thrilling win over Air21-JRU Tuesday in the PBA D-League, added 19 points.

NU found an unlikely offensive production from seldom-used forward Tristan Perez, who sparked an 11-2 run that put the Bulldogs on top 40-35 in the third period, as back-to-back UAAP MVP Ray Parks had a quiet outing with just 13 points.

Joshua Alolino also had 13 markers while Perez ended up with 10. With reports from Jonas Rey N. Panerio of Cebu Daily News