| Stags tame Lions, snatch Game 1 in double OT NCAA Press Release, Fri, Oct 23, 2009 Games Saturday (Araneta Coliseum) 2 p.m.- San Beda vs Letran (jrs) 4 p.m.- San Beda vs San Sebastian (srs) San Sebastian leaned on the pair of clutch efforts by skipper Jimbo Aquino and rookie Calvin Abueva as it stunned reigning three-peat titlist San Beda, 72-68, in double overtime yesterday to move on the crest of snaring its first title in seven years in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at the Big Dome. Aquino, who was held to single-digit efforts in their last two losses to the Lions, spewed 24 points including four in the second OT while Abueva had 10 points he spiked with a season-high 23 rebounds, five blocks and three assists to send the Stags to win closer from clinching their first title in seven seasons and 12th overall. “We stopped their running game, that was the biggest key,” said San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin. The Stags could finish it off tomorrow while the Lions hope to bounce back big and force a deciding Game Three on Thursday. It looked like though the Lions are going to take this one when they fought their way back from a 12-point deficit in the first half and an 45-53 disadvantage early in the fourth quarter. But San Beda used its defense as an anchor and shut down San Sebastian the rest of the regulation while neophyte Rome dela Rosa capped an 8-0 blitz with a long jumper to knot the count at 53-all and force the first extra time. Bam Bam Gamalinda then nailed a pair of booming triples in the second OT as the Lions surged ahead to a 60-57 lead only to see it vanish as Abueva and fellow greenhorn Ian Sangalang combined for five free throws to give the Stags a 62-60 edge with 20 seconds to go. Again, San Beda hung tough as Borgie Hermida found himself in no man’s land and squeezed his way to the basket for a sneaky lay-up that tied the count again while forcing the second extra time. And then Aquino and Abueva came through in second OT by combining for all but one second OT points to seal it for the Stags, who made their first finals appearance since losing to the Letran Knights in a three-game finale five seasons back. “What can I say, they’re just incredible,” said Agustin of Aquino and Abueva. Earlier, San Beda jumped the gun on Letran as it hammered out a 98-75 victory yesterday to inch closer to regaining the juniors’ title it last snared four seasons ago. Baser Amer sizzled with 19 points he spiked with 10 assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block while Dave Moralde, Arthur dela Cruz and Roldan Sara chipped in 18, 12 and 11 points, respectively, to power the Red Cubs to a 1-0 lead in their short best-of-three series. The triumph sent San Beda just a win away from snaring its 17th title overall, or a crown closer to Mapua’s league-best 18. San Beda mentor Ato Badolato said it was defense that did the trick. “Our defense worked in the first half,” said Badolato, who is coaching his last season since taking over 37 years ago and steering the Mendiola-based school to 15 titles. The scores: San Beda 98- Amer 19, Moralde 18, dela Cruz 12, Sara 11, Gotladera 7, Ludovice 7, Chavez 6, dela Costa 6, Amin 5, Javier 4, Abatayo 2, Monteclaro 1, Lunas 0, Nayve 0, Nazareno 0 Letran 75- Tampus 31, Khobuntin 15, Cruz 12, Cudal 9, Ongteco 8, So 0, Inigo 0, Cabiga s0, Reyes 0, Cabahug 0, Roxas 0 Quarterscores: 24-19; 54-32; 79-53; 98-75 Second Game (srs) San Sebastian 72- Aquino 24, Sangalang 14, Abueva 10, Raymundo 7, Semira 6, Bulawan 4, Maconocido 3, Pascual 2, Najorda 2, del Rio 0, Gatchalian 0 San Beda 68- Lanete 11, Daniel 11, Hermida 11, Gamalinda 11, dela Rosa 8, Marcelo 8, Pascual 6, Caram 2, Tecson 0, Tirona 0 Quarterscores: 21-16; 40-32; 47-40; 53-53 (OT); 62-62 (2nd OT); 72-68 |
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