Troika too much to handle as the Stags outgun the Chiefs

MANILA—San Sebastian sailed to a seventh victory as it pulled down Arellano, 92-79, Monday in the 87th NCAA men’s basketball at the Arena in San Juan.

Emilio Aguinaldo College, meanwhile, blasted Perpetual Help, 71-58, to end a two-game slide.

Calvin Abueva was exceptional in leading the Stags closer to a first round sweep as he racked up 18 points, plucked 13 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists to offset his eight turnovers.

Ronald Pascual also could not be held back in dropping 27 big points against Arellano while Ian Sangalang pitched in 16 points and 14 boards.

Joshua Torralba, on the other hand, led the Generals with 15 points and seven rebounds as they pounced on an erratic Altas side. EAC improved to 3-4.

San Sebastian played far from perfect as the last year’s runner-up turned the ball over 19 times—eight of which came from Abueva.

A fourth quarter barrage finally created a bigger separation for the Stags after leading by just 59-54 at the end of three.

San Sebastian, who has yet to face Mapua and defending champion San Beda in the first round eliminations, tried countless times but could not break loose from the gritty Arellano for good until the fourth.

The Chiefs made the Stags pay in the third quarter with blistering scoring blast put them within the closest of 57-54 since the opening period.

But San Sebastian was just too much too handle as Arellano joined Perpetual Help at the cellar at1-6.

Mark Dolligon provided the scoring punch off the bench for Arellano with a team-high 17 points, Jerald Lapuz finished with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds while top gun Andrian Celada fired 13 points.

The scores:

First Game

SAN SEBASTIAN 92—Pascual 27, Abueva 18, Sangalang 16, Miranda 9, Del Rio 9, Dela Cruz 6, Maiquez 4, Ferrer 3, Antipuesto 0.

ARELLANO 79—Doligon 17, Lapuz 16, Celada 13, Zulueta 10, Caperal 10, Acidre 6, Palma 4, Pagayunan 2, Casino 1.

Quarters: 22-12, 40-32, 59-54, 92-79

Second Game

EAC 71—Torralba 15, Jamon 13, Yaya 11, Cubo 11, King 10, Chiong 7, Vargas 2, Sanchez 2, Paguia 0, Diolanto 0.

PERPETUAL HELP 58—Allen 12, Arboleda 8, Elopre 8, Asuncion 7, Vidal 6, Sumera 6, Paulino 5, Sison 3, Thompson 2, Tonggal 1, Parico 0.

Celest Flores, Inquirer.net

Quarters: 19-14, 34-26, 47-43, 71-58