Abueva heroics key: Stags rout vs Blazers

MANILA, Philippines -  Back in harness, Calvin Abueva was back in his triple-double ways, powering San Sebastian to a 92-72 rout of St. Benilde yesterday in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan.

Abueva, back after a one-game suspension for a disqualification foul, tallied 17 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists that made up for his nine turnovers as the Stags stayed in solo second with a 10-3 (win-loss) record.

In the nightcap, Jett Vidal matched the season-best 32-point output of SSC’s Ronald Pascual as Perpetual Help walloped Jose Rizal, 88-72, to tie its victim at third place with 8-3 slates.

It was Abueva’s third triple-double effort in this final season for the Stags after a 15-point, 15-rebound, 11-assist effort in an 80-65 win over Perpetual last July 3 and a 16-point, 23-board and 10-assist performance in an 87-79 win over Lyceum last July 23.

Abueva, the No. 2 overall pick by Alaska Milk in the recent PBA rookie draft, continued to lead the statistical points race for the MVP award but the fiery SSC gunner is no longer qualified to vie in any individual awards after his suspension.

The Pampanga pride, however, took it all in stride.

“My only focus right now is to help my team win a championship and my teammate, Ian Sangalang, win the MVP for me,” said Abueva.

Sangalang, who leads the MVP race now following Abueva’s disqualification, exploded for 16 of his 20 points in the second half while Pascual matched his output, highlighted by four triples.

It was also San Sebastian interim coach Allan Trinidad’s third straight victory since he took over from Topex Robinson.

“I have to give it to the players for responding to the challenge,” said Trinidad.

Carlo Lastimosa led all scorers with 22 points but the Blazers had no answer to SSC’s triumvirate’s (Abueva, Sangalang, Pascual) firepower.

St. Benilde fell to 4-9.

In juniors play, San Sebastian downed La Salle-Greenhills, 62-51, while Jose Rizal leaned on a 20-point, 25-rebound effort of Ginno Abrew as it turned back Perpetual Help, 74-70, to boost their Final Four bids.

The scores:

First Game (Srs)

San Sebastian 92 – Sangalang 20, Pascual 20, Abueva 17, Gusi 11, Maiquez 10, Miranda 6, Juico 4, Antipuesto 2, dela Cruz 2, Rebullos 0, Binuya 0

St. Benilde 72 – Lastimosa 22, Taha 13, Grey 9, Grey 6, Altamirano 6, Tan 6, Sinco 4, Bartolo 2, Deles 2, Dela Paz 2, Maconocido 0, Garcia 0, Romero 0, Carlos 0

Quarterscores: 18-12; 43-28; 69-48 92-72

Second Game (Srs)

Perpetual Help 88 – Vidal 32, Thompson 13, Allen 12, Omorogbe 9, Alano 7, Babayemi 6, Elopre 5, Paulino 4, Jolangcob 0, Arboleda 0

Jose Rizal 72 – Matute 16, Lopez 14, Carampil 12, Villarias 8, Camasura 6, Mabulac 4, Almario 4, Diapera 3, Dela Paz 3, Mendoza 2, Salaveria 0, Maconocido 0, Monserat 0

Quarterscores: 23-18; 42-32; 65-52; 88-72