Stags escape past Maroons in Filoil opener

MANILA, Philippines -- The San Sebastian Stags escaped with an 81-78 win over hard-luck University of the Philippines at the opening seniors match of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at the San Juan Arena.

After Stags point guard Ivan Camasura turned the ball over with 52 seconds left and SSCR with a slim 79-78 lead, UP’s Mikee Reyes missed a runner. Power forward Cris Vito, newly promoted from UP’s Team B, plucked down the rebound but missed an undergoal stab. With an opportunity go ahead by three points, Camasura split his free throws with 15.6 seconds left.

Reyes, who returned to the UP lineup this season after a row with previous head coach Ricky Dandan, turned the ball over sending King Stag CJ Perez to the line. Perez split his free throws for the marginal points giving SSCR coach Topex Robinson their first win of the country’s premier pre-season collegiate basketball tournament.

San Sebastian posted an early 11-point lead, 37-23 after consecutive buckets by Ken Mamaril, a transferee from UST. But the Fighting Maroons came back with their second unit of Henry Asilum, Diego Dario, and Mark Juruena to make a game of it at 45-42 after two periods.

UP took a brief four-point lead 60-56 off two free throws by Asilum and a bucket by Kyles Lao but Stags power forward Mark Tano hit two successive medium range jumpers even up matters.

The Maroons re-took the lead with 2:45 left to play off a under goal stab by Vito, 76-74, but Bradwyn Guinto scored off a putback and a brilliant assist by Perez for a 79-78 lead they would not relinquish.

Rhanel Yong led San Sebastian with 18 points while Perez and Guinto added 14 and 11 points respectively.

Dave Moralde led UP with 18 points while Asilum tacked on 15 markers.

“We played our entire bench wanting to put everyone in a situation where they can learn,” said SSCR head coach Topex Robinson of his team’s win. “We have six new players and we are looking for combinations that work. We are a work in progress.”

Robinson acknowledged Perez’ importance but also praised his under-sized forward in Tano and center in Guinto for holding their own against a spirited UP squad.

“Those guys are our workhorses.”