Stags overpower LPU Pirates for solo lead

IT was just another day in the office for Calvin Abueva.

The burly swingman was once again at his unstoppable best, firing a game-high 28 points and plucking down 12 rebounds in yet another double-double stint for San Sebastian College, which ripped Lyceum of the Philippines, 82-57, yesterday in the 87th National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan yesterday.

With all the momentum on their side going in, the Stags quickly established their dominance over the Pirates, using their half court execution to perfection to seize a 41-30 advantage at the half after a slow start.

In the second half, the Stags completely outplayed the Pirates, with Abueva firing on all cylinder. He had 15 in the first half, and when Lyceum made a short run in the fourth quarter, restored order by presiding over San Sebastian's closing run.

Abueva shot an exceptional 71% from the floor, and completed another double-double in all the four games he played so far. It was also his 28th for his NCAA career.

San Sebastian , who shot 54% from the field as a team, improved to 5-0 to reclaim solo leadership, while the Pirates dropped to 4-3 at third place.

‘’I started Calvin (Abueva) because I want to make a statement to my team that it’s no party and a team like this can beat us. I told my boys to make it as hard as possible for them. We slowed down the game well and executed on the half court,’’ said first year San Sebastian coach Topex Robinson. His usual partners in crime Ronald Pascual and Ian Sangalang played just as good.

Pascual who shot 56%, from the floor, finished with 18 points, four rebounds and five assists while Sangalang, who also had a nice shooting percentage at 54%, took care of the paint with his own double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds.

Chris Cayabyab and Dexter Zamora had nine points apiece to lead Lyceum.