Pinatubo erupts: San Sebastian cuts loose to deal JRU first loss

InterAKTV/Justin Gener

Behind its Pinatubo Trio of Calvin Abueva, Ronald Pascual, and Ian Sangalang, San Sebastian sent Jose Rizal University crashing back down to earth with a 101-78 massacre in NCAA Season 88 action Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The win by San Sebastian snapped JRU’s three-game winning run. The Stags also forced a three-way logjam at the top spot, with the Stags, the Heavy Bombers, and the Perpetual Help Altas toting similar 3-1 win-loss cards.

The Heavy Bombers could not keep up Abueva, who had 25 points and ten rebounds, Pascual, who finished 26 and seven, and Sangalang, who had 19 and ten.

Pascual, who is coming off an ACL injury he incurred last December in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League, finally had his breakout game this season.

“Mahaba yung naging break namin kaya nakapagpa-kundisyon ako. Last three games, naiilang pa ako pero nung nakapag-break ng maaga, napag-focus and nakuha ko na rhythm ko,” said the 24-year old Mexico, Pampanga native, who is planning to join the PBA draft next month alongside teammate Calvin Abueva.

“90 percent na siguro progress ko. Laging nandyan ang family ko to inspire me. Lagi akong nag-eextra work like shooting with my teammates.”

San Sebastian dictated the tempo early, putting the Heavy Bombers’ offense out of sync. The Stags were wary of the erstwhile undefeated JRU, which defeated San Sebastian in the preseason.

“We can’t forget our loss in the FilOil tourney from them. We respected their tendencies that they could beat us so we matched their intensity and dictated the tempo early,” he said.

Despite Nate Matute’s explosive 27-point outburst, the Heavy Bombers were simply outplayed by the Stags. San Sebastian led by as much as 30 points, 87-57 with 6:16 left.

The scores:

San Sebastian (101) — Pascual 26, Abueva 25, Sangalang 19, Miranda 10, Dela Cruz 6, Binuya 5, Juico 4, Balucanag 4, Vitug 2, Antipuesto 0, Maiquez 0.

JRU(78) — Matute 27, Villarias 14, Lopez 12, Almario 6, Mabulac 6, Monserat 6, Camasura 4, Diapera 3, Salaveria 0, Carampil 0, Dela Paz0, Munez 0, Maconocido 0, Porter 0.

Quarters: 27-19, 51-31, 74-50, 101-78

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