Rookies De Vera, Perez lift Stags over Generals

MANILA, Philippines – San Sebastian went to rookies Leo De Vera and Jaymar Perez as it dismantled a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter and eked out an 81-74 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo to remain in the magic four in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City Monday.

De Vera, a Fil-Am playing his first and only season in the league, unleashed an eight-point binge, including a pair of booming triples while de Vera, a rookie from Pangasinan, had five in the final period that helped the Stags turn a potential loss to their fourth win against two losses.

Jan Kevin Ortuoste erupted for six of his 16 points in the same period and made a key alley-oop play with Bradwyn Guinto, who chipped in 15 points, in the dying seconds that put a separation from EAC.

The triumph also pushed San Sebastian closer to the leaders behind Letran (5-0), San Beda (5-1) and Perpetual Help (4-1) at press time.

De Vera, being considered a smaller second coming of Calvin Abueva, finished with 20 points to go with 15 rebounds, four assists and a steal while De Vera made up for his early struggles by scoring eight of his nine points in the last canto.

"We played more aggressive in the fourth quarter, that made the difference," said San Sebastian assistant coach Raymond Valenzona, who is handling the coaching chores in the absence of Topex Robinson, who is the United States with Alaska Milk, in Filipino.

The Generals, who were led by Jan Jamon's game-high 25 points, turned a 36-42 halftime deficit to a 64-57 lead after outscoring the Stags, 28-15, in the third quarter.

But the troika of de Vera, Ortuoste and Perez conspired to spark a mighty fight back in the last quarter to help San Sebastian escape defeat.

San Sebastian also found away to slow down Cameroonian Noube Happi, who was held to just 11 points.

The 6-7 Happi though gave the Generals a 70-69 lead with 2.27 minutes remaining but it turned out their last hurrah as the Stags outgunned the former in the end.

The scores:

First Game

San Sebastian 81 – Perez 20, Ortuoste 16, Guinto 15, De la Cruz 11, De Vera 9, Gusi 5, Balucanag 3, Rebollos 2.

EAC 74 – Jamon 25, Morada 13, Happi 11, Arquero 9, Paguia 6, Onwuberre 3, Monteclaro 2, Manga 2, King 2, Tayongtong 1.

Quarterscores: 17-12, 42-36, 57-64, 81-74.