Stags target share of lead

MANILA, Philippines - It’s San Sebastian turn to seek a share of the lead with defending champion San Beda as it collides with Emilio Aguinaldo today in the 87th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Stags, who routed the Lyceum Pirates, 82-57, last July 25, are heavily favored to get past the Generals in the 2 p.m. encounter and match the Red Lions’ 6-0 card.

Calvin Abueva, Ronald Pascual and Ian Sangalang are again expected to spearhead the Stags’ bid against the Generals, who are locked in a three-way tie for fifth at 2-3 with Jose Rizal U and St. Benilde.

The Bombers and the Blazers square off at 4 p.m. with the former coming off a come-from-behind 88-83 win over the Perpetual Help Altas last Friday and the latter out to atone for their 77-79 triple overtime loss to the Altas last July 25.

“We’re hoping to sustain the momentum of that win by playing harder and more aggressive,” said St. Benilde mentor Richard del Rosario.

“It was a tough loss but our focus now is to try to get back on our feet,” said JRU mentor Vergel Meneses.

Abueva, the 2009 Finals MVP, currently leads the MVP race with averages of 23 points, 12 boards and five assists – all league highs while Pascual is in joint second in scoring with 18 points while Sangalang has norms of 17.8 points for third.

The troika also averaged a combined 27.6 rebounds and four shot blocks, making them the most formidable combination on both ends of the floor.

“They’re my veteran guys, our sources of strength and the young guys look up to them and rely on them a lot,” said San Sebastian coach Topex Robinson.