Stags Tame Red Lions In PCCL Semis

Fierce NCAA opponents San Sebastian and San Beda provided much of the action, including a bench-clearing melee.

With 2.11 minutes left in the game and the outcome already beyond recall, reigning NCAA MVP Calvin Abueva got into some shoving match with Rome dela Rosa, triggering a bench-clearing incident that resulted in the ejection of practically all the bench players of both squads.

San Beda center Kyle Pascual elbowed Abueva on the nape and tried to hit the latter seconds after. Then the SSC gunner shoved SBC guard Anjo Caram, sparking a near free-for-all with Lions and the Stags storming onto the court, forcing league commissioner Joe Lipa to toss everyone out.

After the ejection of those involved in the scuffle, only seven players from San Beda and five from San Sebastian, including Ronald Pascual, who sustained a knee from a bad fall in the fourth period, were left on the court.

The rest were thrown out, including Abueva, who had a solid, all-around effort with 19 points, 10 rebounds and five assists before his ejection, and Kyle Pascual.

“Bumabawi lang kami (we were just getting even),” said Ian Sangalang, who led the Stags with 20 points, 11 boards and three assists.

San Sebastian did get back at recent NCAA finals tormentor San Beda and the Stags might have even exacted some revenge from a separate incident Friday where SSC volley coach Roger Gorayeb and libero Mae Crisostomo sustained injuries.

San Sebastian coach Topex Robinson, who shook hands with SBC mentor Frankie Lim, said the issue should stop after this game.

“We don’t want the game to end that way, it’s really something we don’t want to happen in the first place,” said Robinson. “I told my players before the game we’re basketball players, we’re here to win games.

“We’re not boxers, we’re not UFC fighters, we’re basketball players,” he added.

For Lim, who missed main men Garvo Lanete, Jake Pascual and Sudan Daniel due to various injuries, said giving it their best shot was enough for him.

“We played without some of our best players but it’s okay. We gave it our best, that’s all that mattered,” said Lim.

source: Philstar