Stags rout five-man Generals

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian scored an expected 107-73 rout of Emilio Aguinaldo College, which played with just five players, at resumption of the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Jerald Serrano scored 20 points, Ai Rashid Indin had 17 markers, Christ Mejos hit 14 points while Jozhua General and Faustine Pascual added 11 apiece as they played with just enough gas to finish the contest which the full-bodied Stags virtually settled after the first quarter, 35-18.

The rest of the Generals are still serving suspensions for their involvement in the free-for-all that marred the EAC-Mapua clash last week.

Still, EAC went down fighting.

“We really want to play out of respect for the school and the league and I thank the five guys who showed up,” said EAC coach Gerry Esplana.

“I knew that we’re facing only five players today so I told my players to show them respect by playing our best without let up and not brag about it if we win big,” said San Sebastian mentor Topex Robinson.

SSC posted its fifth win against 11 losses while EAC fell to 4-14.

Earlier, Mapua forfeited its match against Letran with just four players available but guaranteed to play its last two games against semifinal contenders Jose Rizal U and St. Benilde.

“We followed the league rules so it’s a forfeit,” said Mapua’s Management Committee representative Melchor Divina.

After the league meted out suspensions in the aftermath of the Mapua-EAC brawl last week, the Cardinals were left with only CJ Isit, Joseph Eriobu, Jeson Cantos and Jessie Saitanan.

But even Isit would not have been fit to play since he’s still recuperating from a swollen right eye and a fractured cheekbone after he was hit by EAC’s John Tayongtong that triggered the free-for-all.

Suspended Mapua cagers were Leo Gabo (four games), Jomari Tubiano (3), Justin Serrano (2), James Galoso (2), Exeqiel Biteng (2), Andrew Estrella (2), Jerome Canaynay (1), Ronnel Villasenor (1) and Darrel Magsigay (1).

The Knights improved to 7-9 but they have been booted out of the semis race as early as last week. Mapua fell to 4-12.

Divina, however, assured that the Cardinals will be back to play their last two games against the Bombers on Friday and the Blazers next week.

It was the second forfeiture in the last three days after EAC also forfeited its game versus Perpetual Help (10-6) last Wednesday.

The suspended EAC players are Tayongtong (five games), Jan Jamon (3), Ariel Aguilar (3), Jack Arquero (3), Sydney Onwubere (3), John Santos (2), Manelle Quilanita (2), Edsel Saludo (2) and Faustine Pascual (1).