NCAA: Stags lean on ‘big 3’ to subdue Knights

MANILA, Philippines – Expecting a highly-physical affair, who else would San Sebastian coach Topex Robinson turn to than his big three.

Ian Sangalang, Calvin Abueva and Ronald Pascual muscled their way anew to lift the Stags over the feisty Letran Knights, 71-62, in the NCAA Season 87 Wednesday at the Arena in San Juan.

Sangalang collected 22 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks to help San Sebastian stave off a blistering run by Letran for a 4-0 start.

“We expected this game to be physical,” said Robinson. “Letran’s really a tough team.”

The Stags led by 13 with 2:54 left in the third period before the Knights surged to a 16-6 blitz capped by a floater by Kevin Alas that chopped down the deficit to three, 51-48.

“I told them [my players] to be composed and determined,” said Robinson.

“We know Letran’s not going to give it [the win] to us,” added Robinson.

And his players would respond.

Abueva answered back with a three-point play before a Pascual side step extended San Sebastian’s advantage back to eight, 56-48.

Adding more woes to Letran, Alas fouled out with still 7:05 left leaving the Knights with limited offensive options as the game went to its final stretch.

Second-stringer Lyle Antipuesto would put the game out reach with a dagger triple at the 1:43 mark to give the Stags a comfortable 69-57 spread.

Abueva notched his 27th double-double with 18 points and 10 boards while the flashy Pascual chipped in with 13 points.

“Calvin is going to be Calvin, at the end of the day he’s still our leader,” commended Robinson.

Sangalan, Abueva and Pascual scored all but one of San Sebastian’s 25 first quarter points.

The Knights, who absorbed their first defeat in four games, were held to just 10 points in the first period.

Alas paced Letran with 14 points while lanky big man Raymond Almazan had 11 points, 17 rebounds and five swats.