Stags annex No. 12 in record romp

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian had a virtual workout coming off a 12-day rest as it crushed an also-ran Emilio Aguinaldo side in a record-setting 109-63 rout yesterday to claim its 12th straight victory in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Leading MVP contender Jimbo Aquino scored 22 points and hauled down eight rebounds while Dave Najorda, rookie Ian Sangalang and Calvin Abueva added 20, 19 and 17 points, respectively, for the Stags, now just six wins away from a rare sweep and an outright stint in the best-of-three finals.

But the Stags’ mindset isn’t on the possible sweep but to take it one game at a time.

“We’re not even talking about it because we don’t want to put pressure on ourselves,” said San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin, whose Stags also downed the Generals, 87-73, in their first duel last July 17.

“What we can do is to concentrate winning our next game, which is against Mapua on Monday,” said Agustin.

San Sebastian’s 46-point winning margin was the biggest this season since Mapua blasted Angeles U Foundation, 101-63, in their first round showdown last July 10.

In the other seniors game, Rey Guevarra shot 22 points as Letran tripped St. Benilde, 69-54, and firmed up its grip of the fourth spot with a 9-4 slate.

The high-leaping Guevarra poured in 15 points in the fourth quarter to spark the Knights’ runaway victory. He went three-of-three from the three-point area, made all five free throws and missed just two of his six shots from the two-point area.

The Blazers, who played without injured Jeff Morial, Robbie Manalac and Alex Wong, fell to their eighth defeat against four wins.

In juniors’ action, Letran likewise remained unscathed as it whipped College of St. Benilde, 86-63, for its 13th straight win.