Baste Five Tame Red Lions
In order to avoid a playoff game against Letran, a team they haven’t beaten this season, the San Sebastian Stags conquered and dominated the three-peat seeking San Beda Red Lions, 69-55, to officially claim the second spot and the twice-to-beat advantage heading into the semifinals of the 88th Season of the NCAA starting this Saturday.
Even with the ejection of Ronald Pascual in the early goings of the first period, reigning MVP Calvin Abueva and the Stags rose to the occasion and succeeded in their quest to sweep the Red Lions in the double-round elimination.
Pascual was ejected at the 5:54 mark of the first for throwing a closed fist on San Beda’s Rome Dela Rosa.
“Masakit sa aming lahat yung nangyari. Parang nawalan ng kumpyansa yung iba dahil shooter ang nawala. Last game ang ganda pa naman ng ginawa nya. Dahil sa ejection ni Ronald, mas bumawi at nagtrabaho kami. Mas naging okay nga yata kasi lahat ng teammates namin gumana,” said Abueva, who finished with another monster line of 23 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks.
Abueva, popularly known as ‘The Beast’, became the first player to finish the elimination round as the league leader in points, rebounds and assists.
The first ten minutes of action was low-scoring, with both teams limiting each other to just single-digit outputs. But Abueva knocked in a buzzer-beating basket to end the first period, breaking a 7-all deadlock to give San Sebastian a two-point lead.
San Beda never regained the lead but kept the game close, trailing by just two points after three periods. The Red Lions had some highlight-reel moments, though, including a backboard-rattling, one-handed slam by Ola Adeogun over Abueva at the 3:58 mark of the third quarter.
Abueva, who only had seven points in the first half, poured in 13 fourth-quarter points built around three three-pointers and capped the game with a thunderous slam to the delight of the San Sebastian crowd.
“Kailangan sumugal, kailangan nya mag-take charge at itira mga yun,” said San Sebastian coach Allan Trinidad, referring to Abueva’s long-range attempts. “Hard defense did it for us. Di nila dinominate ang ilalim.”
San Sebastian’s defense limited Adeogun to just five points and six rebounds, as the Nigerian center was plagued with early foul trouble.
The Scores:
San Sebastian (69) — Abueva 23, Sangalang 19, Maiquez 13, Juico 6, Gusi 5, Dela Cruz 3, Miranda 0, Antipuesto 0, Vitug 0, Pascual 0, Rebollos 0.
San Beda (55) — Dela Rosa 12, Lim 11, Caram 7, J. Pascual 6, K. Pascual 6, Adeogun 5, Amer 4, Dela Cruz 4, Ludovice 0, Mendoza 0, Koga 0.
Quarterscores: 9-7, 30-22, 43-41, 69-55.
source: InterAKTV
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Now this proves that the style of coach ronnie should really be given a hard thought. I don't want to doubt him cause he is a good coach. He is even my teamate in ncaa track team of 1982 where we were champions. But the things is, if baste and beda will figure in the finals... it is pretty obvious that baste will win....if this is how the red lions will play the game.
ReplyDeleteyes, i agree sad to say. we were beaten by baste 2x already. the red lions were a pathetic sight as baste drubbed them left and right. Lampaso talaga. i hope coach ronnie will come up with a good adjustment. otherwise, baste will be champs.
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