| NCAA |
cargenpicks.com on Facebook
 | |  | |  | |  |
NCAA.org.ph
San Sebastian seeks to close in on the twice-to-beat advantage and surpass the league record in consecutive victories in a
season as it clashes with a recently eliminated Arellano U today in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in
San Juan City.
The Stags smashed the injury-plagued St. Benilde Blazers, 94-61, last week to notch their 14th straight win that tied the
league record 14-game streak accomplished the San Beda Lions three seasons ago, or the same year they won the first of
their three-peat feat.
San Sebastian mentor Ato Agustin, whose charges whitewashed the Legarda-based dribblers, 80-49, in their first round
meeting last July 20, said they will not take chances.
The Stags last three outings, however, will be against the Letran Knights (11-5) on Friday, the Jose Rizal Bombers (13-2)
on Sept. 28 and the four-peat seeking San Beda Lions (13-2) on Sept. 28—all legitimate title contenders.
The Chiefs, in spite of being a guest squad, have put up a gallant fight the whole season and appeared headed to
snatching the fourth and last Final Four spot but just fell short following a 59-74 defeat at the hands of the Mapua Cardinals
Friday that completed the semifinal cast.
Arellano, which was the last team eliminated after absorbing its eighth setback against seven triumphs, however, wants a
victory that would solidify its place of finishing a respectable fifth.
“We’re out of the Final Four but we want to go out fighting and pick up as many wins as we can because a fifth place fnish is
not bad for a guest team like us,” said Arellano coach Junjie Ablan, the league’s youngest coach.
Meanwhile, Emilio Aguinaldo and Mapua, which own 5-10 and3-12 record, respectively, collide at 2 p.m. in a non-bearing
match.
San Sebastian seeks to close in on the twice-to-beat advantage and surpass the league record in consecutive victories in a
season as it clashes with a recently eliminated Arellano U today in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in
San Juan City.
The Stags smashed the injury-plagued St. Benilde Blazers, 94-61, last week to notch their 14th straight win that tied the
league record 14-game streak accomplished the San Beda Lions three seasons ago, or the same year they won the first of
their three-peat feat.
San Sebastian mentor Ato Agustin, whose charges whitewashed the Legarda-based dribblers, 80-49, in their first round
meeting last July 20, said they will not take chances.
- “We know Arellano is capable of beating any team and we can’t
take them for granted,” said Agustin, a former MVP during his pro
days.
- The Stags are two wins closer from clinching the first of two
twice-to-beat incentives in the Final Four and four away from
completing a historic sweep. Interestingly, there are only two
teams in recent times that accomplished the momentous feat,
both done by San Sebastian in 1988 and 1997 the last capping
a mighty five-peat feat.
- Agustin, however, they would think about it after the 4 p.m.
Arellano U duel.
- “Just what I’ve said before, we could start entertaining the
thought of a sweep if we’re three wins away from accomplishing
it so let’s talk about it after the Arellano game,” said Agustin.
The Stags last three outings, however, will be against the Letran Knights (11-5) on Friday, the Jose Rizal Bombers (13-2)
on Sept. 28 and the four-peat seeking San Beda Lions (13-2) on Sept. 28—all legitimate title contenders.
The Chiefs, in spite of being a guest squad, have put up a gallant fight the whole season and appeared headed to
snatching the fourth and last Final Four spot but just fell short following a 59-74 defeat at the hands of the Mapua Cardinals
Friday that completed the semifinal cast.
Arellano, which was the last team eliminated after absorbing its eighth setback against seven triumphs, however, wants a
victory that would solidify its place of finishing a respectable fifth.
“We’re out of the Final Four but we want to go out fighting and pick up as many wins as we can because a fifth place fnish is
not bad for a guest team like us,” said Arellano coach Junjie Ablan, the league’s youngest coach.
Meanwhile, Emilio Aguinaldo and Mapua, which own 5-10 and3-12 record, respectively, collide at 2 p.m. in a non-bearing
match.
