Basketball
San Sebastian routs Saint Benilde for third straight win
InterAKTV/Justin Gener
San Sebastian successfully clinched their third consecutive win with a stunning 92-72 win over the Saint Benilde Blazers in the elimination round of Season 88 action of the NCAA at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The second round meeting of San Sebastian and Saint Benilde was a different story from their tight first round encounter, which the Stags won by just two points, 93-95.
With the collective efforts of the Pinatubo Trio from Pampanga, the Stags cruised to an easy victory. Ian Sangalang, Ronald Pascual and the returning Calvin Abueva combined for 57 of the team’s 97 total points and added 32 rebounds.
“I challenged the boys and I told them to treat this game as a tuneup game. Buti na lang din kulang ang Saint Benilde, wala pa si Tolentino, dahil nung first meeting namin, 20 points yung bata,” said San Sebastian interim coach Allan Trinidad.
It was a lopsided match from the second period until the buzzer for the Stags, who are still solid at the second spot with their 10-3 win-loss slate.
San Sebastian’s biggest lead stood at 25, 75-50, at the 7:48 mark off a basket from Dexter Maiquez with the feed coming from Abueva.
“Nakapag-adjust na kami, lalo sa maliliit na bagay tulad ng assists sa mga kakampi,” said Sangalang, who has been playing consistently for the Stags.
“Mas dodoblehin ko ang sipag ko ngayon dahil gusto ko maganda ang exit ko sa NCAA pag nag-champion kami,” added Abueva, who came back from a one-game suspension that forced him to miss the team’s game against Arellano University last week.
St. Benilde, who still missed the services of Joel Tolentino was again led by the scoring of Carlo Lastimosa, who finished the game with 22 markers with Paolo Taha adding 13.
The Blazers dropped to 4-9 at the ninth spot. Joel Tolentino is expected to suit up for the Blazers in their next game after completing his three-game suspension.
The Scores:
San Sebastian (92) — Sangalang 20, Pascual 20, Abueva 17, Gusi 11, Maiquez 10, Miranda 6, Juico 4, Antipuesto 2, Dela Cruz 2, Rebollos 0, Binuya 0.
St. Benilde (72) — Lastimosa 22, Taha 13, Grey 9, Onteco 6, Altamirano 6, Tan 6, Sinco 4, Bartolo 2, Deles 2, Dela Paz 2, Maconocido 0, Garcia 0, Romero 0, Carlos 0.
Quarterscores: 18-12, 43-28, 69-48, 92-72.
