Stags seek solo NCAA lead vs Chiefs
By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer/June 20, 2009
SAN SEBASTIAN ROOKIE COACH ATO Agustin has refused to get carried away by the Stags’ finest start in years.
“It’s a very long tournament and we’re nowhere near our goal,” said Agustin, whose squad shares the early lead in the 85th NCAA men’s basketball tournament with Jose Rizal U with a 4-0 record.
It will be Arellano U’s turn to test the unbeaten Stags at 4 p.m. today at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Agustin believes the Stags have their work cut out for them against the Chiefs, who pushed the Bombers all the way before yielding an 82-88 decision last Wednesday.
“We’re facing probably one of the toughest teams this season,” said Agustin.
The Stags flirted with disaster before crushing the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals, 87-74, Friday. But Agustin expects nothing less than an improved performance.
“We can’t be too complacent against Arellano,” said Agustin, who is expected to rely on veterans Jimbo Aquino and Gilbert Bulawan and rookie Calvin Abueva.
After downing EAC and Letran, Arellano dropped its next two games, including a 74-102 loss to San Beda.
But the Chiefs’ strong form against the Bombers had the league taking notice.
Colliding at 2 p.m. game are Letran and St. Benilde as they try to get out of a three-way logjam with Arellano U on 2-2 cards.
The Knights have rediscovered their lethal form after losing to JRU and Arellano.
“We hope to ride on this momentum,” said Letran mentor Louie Alas, who won back-to-back over Perpetual Help and Mapua.
Relentless Stags destroy dour Chiefs
By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer/June 21, 2009
MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian proved unrelenting even after a fiery start as the Stags turned an expected close game into an 80-49 blowout of Arellano U yesterday in the 85th NCAA men's basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Stags left the Chiefs chasing shadows in a blistering opening eight minutes, where they scored the game's first 23 points, to roll to their fifth straight win that put them alone on top.
Earlier, Letran made it three wins in a row as the Knights relied on a late explosion by RJ Jazul to subdue the St. Benilde Blazers, 86-69.
Held to just two points in the first two quarters, Jazul, a member of the Smart Gilas national developmental team, came alive in the final period with 10 points, including back-to-back triples that gave the Knights a 16-point buffer, 75-59, with four minutes remaining.
"I told RJ to let the game come to him," said Letran coach Louie Alas. "He has really matured. He did not force his shots."
The Knights produced the best three-point shooting performance by any team this season, draining 10 of their 19 shots from beyond the arc, with JP Belencion accounting for four and Jazul and Rey Guevarra contributing five.
Sustaining his solid play, Jimbo Aquino fired 10 of his career-high 27 points in the first period, where he combined with Gilbert Bulawan in the torrid run that dashed the Chiefs' hopes.
"We made every possession count and we're aggressive," said Stags coach Ato Agustin.
In juniors play, Glenn Khobuntin collected 18 points and 17 rebounds as Letran rallied to beat CSB-La Salle Green Hills, 85-75, and join San Beda on top with a fifth straight triumph, while San Sebastian downed Arellano U, 78-63, to improve to a 4-1 mark.
The Varsity Scores:
First Game
LETRAN 86 –
Jazul 16,
Belencion 14,
Guevarra 12,
Foronda 11,
Cortes 7,
K. Alas 6,
Taplah 6,
del Rosario 5,
Datang 4,
Gutilban 3,
J. Alas 2,
Publico 0,
Pantin 0,
Ang 0.
ST. BENILDE 69 –
De Guzman 11,
Tan 10,
Urra 9,
Morial 8,
Johnston 7,
Dalanon 5,
Manlapaz 5,
Motecastro 5,
dela Paz 4,
Manalac 3,
Abolucion 2,
Argamino 0,
Umlas 0.
Quarters: 12–6, 29–27, 56–43, 86–69
Second Game
SAN SEBASTIAN 80 –
Aquino 27, Bulawan 10,Semira 8,Raymundo 8,Najorda 8, Pascual 5, Abueva 5, del Rio 5, Gatchalian 3, Sangalang 1, Marquez 0, Maconocido 0.
ARELLANO U 49 – Celada 12, I. Ciriacruz 9, G. Ciriacruz 9,Anquillo 6, Reducto 5,Virtuzado 2, Rivera 2, Apostol 2, Agustin 2, Tayongtong 0, Miranda 0, Dimla 0.
Quarters: 24-5, 42-19, 63-38, 80-49
Untitled Document
TEAM STANDINGS (As of July 21, 2009)
|
W |
|
L |
San Sebastian |
7 |
|
0 |
JRU |
6 |
|
1 |
San Beda |
6 |
|
1 |
Letran |
4 |
|
3 |
St. Benilde |
4 |
|
4 |
Arellano |
2 |
|
4 |
| EAC |
2 |
|
5 |
Perpetual |
2 |
|
5 |
Mapua |
1 |
|
6 |
AUF |
1 |
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
BRAVO STAGS! BRAVO
BASTE!
