Stags impale Pirates; Bombers protest loss to Generals

Games Thursday

(The Arena, San Juan)

10 a.m. – LPU vs EAC (Jrs)

11:45 a.m. – Perpetual Help vs Arellano (Jrs)

2 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs Arellano (Srs)

4 p.m. – Mapua vs San Beda (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines – San Sebastian kept its streak going by downing Lyceum of the Phl U, 77-69, even as Emilio Aguinaldo shocked Jose Rizal, 63-60, in a protest-marred game Tuesday to keep their Final Four hopes alive in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

RK Ilagan delivered an effort to remember, exploding for a career-high 25 points he spiced with another career-best seven triples as the Stags rolled to their fourth straight win and fifth overall against nine losses while breathing life to their Final Four aspiration.

"He's very hard working and he has a heart even though he's a rookie. He's probably with that 3-point shot," said San Sebastian coach Egay Macaraya in Filipino, referring to Ilagan, a Tondo native.

Sydney Onwubere exploded with 26 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, while Cameroonian beanpole dropped 19 points, 10 boards and four blocks as the Generals nailed their fourth win against nine setbacks to keep its semis hopes afloat.

The Bombers had a chance to knot the count and force OT after Teytey Teodoro was fouled attempting a three by EAC's Igee King.

The referees, however, nullified the foul after the view review, giving the Generals the triumph.

Jose Rizal, however, put the game under protest with team captain Jordan dela Paz signing the scoresheet after the game.

The Bombers fell to 7-6 and fifth place, half a game behind No. 4 Mapua (7-5).

San Sebastian has been playing well as of late, stringing together three giant-sized wins at the expense of No. 3 Perpetual Help (9-3), No. 1 San Beda (11-2) and No. 4 Mapua (7-5) after starting the season with a win and nine straight losses.

Macaraya said it was all about getting the winning attitude.

"I guess everybody wanted to win and everybody stepped up for us and played defense," said Macaraya, who thanked their manager Joseph Dyhengco for supporting the team through their ups and downs.

It also helped the Stags they turned over the ball a league low eight times.

"We slowed the pace of the game. That was one of the keys of the game. I let them understand their role to set first before shooting the ball," said Macaraya.

The Pirates fell to 5-8.

In the third game, reigning titlist Letran thrashed St. Benilde, 57-40, to snap out of a five-game losing slide and improve to 6-7.

The Blazers' total score ended up the new league low since absorbing a 45-70 defeat to the Altas 45-70 last week.

It was St. Benilde's 13th straight defeat.

The Scores:

First Game (Srs)

SSC-R (77) – Ilagan 25, Fabian 12, Bulanadi 10, Capobres 10, David 6, Calisaan 4, Costelo 4, Meraco 2, Serajosef 2, Valdez 2, Baetiong 0, Gayosa 0, Johnson 0, Quipse 0, Calma 0.

LPU (69) – Nzeusseu 24, Caduyac 8, Serafico 8, Alban 7, Ayaay 5, Alanes 4, Magbuhos 4, Baltazar 3, Soriano 3, Rubite 2, Marata 1, Gabayni 0, Malabanan 0, Soliman 0.

Quarterscores: 13-12, 28-30, 55-47, 77-69

Second Game (Srs)

EAC 63 – Onwubere 26, Laminou 19, Munsayac 6, Morada 4, Guzman 3, Neri 3, Corilla 2, Diego 0, King 0, Mendoza 0, Pascua 0

Jose Rizal 60 – Dela Virgen 12, Cruz 8, Teodoro 8, Abdul Wahab 6, Poutouochi 6, Grospe 6, dela Paz 4, Mendoza 4, Pontejos 4, Lasq          uety 2, Dada 0

Quarterscores: 14-8; 34-19; 43-41; 63-60

Third Game (Srs)

Letran 57 – Nambatac 13, Calvo 8, Luib 7, Quinto 7, Sollano 7, Bernabe 6, Ambohot 5, Apreku 3, Pambid 1, Balagasay 0, Ular 0, Vacaro 0

St. Benilde 40 – Fajarito 11, Jj. Domingo 8, Saavedra 7, Dixon 6, Sta. Maria 3, Castor 2, Young 2, San Juan 1, Js. Domingo 0, Pajarilaga 0, Pasamante 0

Quarterscores: 13-14; 30-19; 45-29; 57-40