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Amazing Stags to go 16-0?
Journal Online
Red-hot San Sebastian seeks to close in on a historic sweep as it takes on a dangerous Letran today in the 85th NCAA
basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Drawing strength from the uncanny duo of rookie Ian Sangalang and skipper Jimbo Aquino, the Stags walloped the Arellano
U Chiefs, 100-66, to stretch their amazing winning run to 15 that surpassed the league’s longest streak at 14 posted by the
San Beda Red Lions on their way to the 2006 title.
A win over the Knights in their 4 p.m. encounter would push the Stags closer from booking the twice-to-beat bonus in the
Final Four.
Truly, the Knights lost to the Stags, 74-77, the first time they met this season last Aug. 14 but the former gave the latter a run
for their money before losing.
In that match, a rookie transferee from Adamson Ronald Pascual used that game to unload his league high 17 points while
another neophyte, Ian Sangalang, had a double-double effort with 12 points and 11 rebounds that made up for the subpar
game by Jimbo Aquino, who was held to just 11 points in the said duel.
Incidentally, Sangalang and Aquino were coming off spectacular efforts the last time out with the latter dishing out his
league high 28 points and the latter had 21 points, a personal best 15 boards and five assists.
Letran coach Louie Alas, whose team will be the No. 4 seed no matter what happens in their last two games, said they
need to defend better to have a realistic chance at San Sebastian.
“There’s a chance that we might face them (Stags) in the Final Four so we would feel better if we show them we’re capable
of beating them,” said Alas, who steered the Muralla-based school to the 1998, 2003 and 2005 crowns before the
championship winds swished to Mendiola.
“For us to accomplish it, we need to play tougher defense,” he added.
Meanwhile, Arellano U (7-9) and Perpetual Help (3-12) collide in the non-bearing showdown at 2 p.m.
Journal Online
Red-hot San Sebastian seeks to close in on a historic sweep as it takes on a dangerous Letran today in the 85th NCAA
basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Drawing strength from the uncanny duo of rookie Ian Sangalang and skipper Jimbo Aquino, the Stags walloped the Arellano
U Chiefs, 100-66, to stretch their amazing winning run to 15 that surpassed the league’s longest streak at 14 posted by the
San Beda Red Lions on their way to the 2006 title.
A win over the Knights in their 4 p.m. encounter would push the Stags closer from booking the twice-to-beat bonus in the
Final Four.
- And if San Sebastian goes on to sweep its last two games
against last year’s losing finalist Jose Rizal on Monday and
reigning three-peat champion San Beda on Oct. 7, it would earn
an automatic spot in the best-of-three finale.
- Interestingly, the Stags of 1988 and 1997 swept their way to the
title before the old rule that gives the crown to the team that
would end up sweeping the double-round elimination had been
outlawed.
- And San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin knows their games
against the Knights would be critical in their bid for a sweep.
- “We all know Letran is no pushover. But if we can find a way to
beat them, I think we’ll have a stronger chance of a sweep,” said
Agustin, a former PBA MVP.
Truly, the Knights lost to the Stags, 74-77, the first time they met this season last Aug. 14 but the former gave the latter a run
for their money before losing.
In that match, a rookie transferee from Adamson Ronald Pascual used that game to unload his league high 17 points while
another neophyte, Ian Sangalang, had a double-double effort with 12 points and 11 rebounds that made up for the subpar
game by Jimbo Aquino, who was held to just 11 points in the said duel.
Incidentally, Sangalang and Aquino were coming off spectacular efforts the last time out with the latter dishing out his
league high 28 points and the latter had 21 points, a personal best 15 boards and five assists.
Letran coach Louie Alas, whose team will be the No. 4 seed no matter what happens in their last two games, said they
need to defend better to have a realistic chance at San Sebastian.
“There’s a chance that we might face them (Stags) in the Final Four so we would feel better if we show them we’re capable
of beating them,” said Alas, who steered the Muralla-based school to the 1998, 2003 and 2005 crowns before the
championship winds swished to Mendiola.
“For us to accomplish it, we need to play tougher defense,” he added.
Meanwhile, Arellano U (7-9) and Perpetual Help (3-12) collide in the non-bearing showdown at 2 p.m.
