FilOil basketball: Stags clip Eagles’ wings

SAN SEBASTIAN rallied from seven points down in the last two minutes to stun Ateneo, 73-72, yesterday and dealt the UAAP champion’s first loss in the FilOil-Flying V Hanes Preseason Premier Cup.

Calvin Abueva again led the way for the Stags by burying 22 points—including the deciding free throws with only 9.8 seconds remaining—and grabbing nine rebounds.

Ian Sangalang scored 17 and had nine rebounds, while Ronald Pascual also posted a double-double of 15 points and 14 boards in the Stags’ third win in four games in Group A.

“The important thing in this game was our defense,” said coach Turo Valenzona after his Stags ended the Blue Eagles’ five-game winning streak. “It was really hard to beat a team that’s well-organized.”

In Group B, Alex Nuyles fired 22 points as Adamson recorded its fifth win over St. Benilde with a 75-61 decision.

“I’m really surprised that he’s been playing very well for consecutive games,” Adamson coach Leo Austria said of Nuyles, whose triples keyed the Falcons’ breakaway.

The Stags closed out the game with an 8-0 charge to rise from 65-72 deficit with 2:11 minutes left. Just recently, the Stags also dealt the first loss on erstwhile unbeaten National University. Reed Gabagat and April Jezette G. Aquino

The scores:
First Game
SAN SEBASTIAN 73—Abueva 22, Sangalang 17, Pascual 15, Semira 8, Balucanag 8, Antipuesto 2, Del Rio 1, Dela Cruz 0, Ferrer 0, Miranda 0, Vitug 0, Maiquez 0.
ATENEO 72—Ravena 15, Long 10, Salva 9, Monfort 9, Austria 8, Sumalinog 8, Slaughter 6, Tiongson 5, Gonzaga 2, Chua 0, Golla 0.
Quarters: 21-11, 37-38, 55-57, 73-72
Second Game
ADAMSON 75—Nuyles 22, Colina 11, Cruz 9, Cañada 9, Brondial 6, Camson 6, Etrone 3, Petilos 3, Alvarez 2, Manyara 2, Cabrera 2, Lozada 0, Rios 0, Olalia 0, Monteclaro 0
ST. BENILDE 61—Lastimosa C. 14, Tan 10, Fikowski 7, Mccoy 6, Grey 6, Romero 4, Taha 4, Deles 3, Sinco 2, Maconocido 2, Garcia 2, Dela Paz 1, Lastimosa R. 0, De Guzman 0.
Quarters: 13-18, 31-30, 60-45, 75-61