Stags stop Altas’ streak; Red Cubs lambast Junior Pirates, 171-14

THE SAN SEBASTIAN Stags brought back down to earth the Perpetual Help Altas as they handed the previously undefeated squad an 80-65 bashing in the 88th NCAA basketball tournament yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.

Reigning league MVP Calvin “The Beast” Abueva once again put on a monstrous performance as he followed up his 23-point, 23-rebound showing last Saturday with an incredible triple-double of 15 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists. It was Abueva’s second triple-double in his NCAA career.

The game was close at halftime as the Altas recovered from an early 10-point deficit and were within one, 34-35, at the turn.

However, the Altas played their frenetic style of play in the third and went on a 17-1 run that was anchored on the 10 of Ian Sangalang that pushed their lead to 15, 52-37. They eventually brought a 58-42 lead to the final canto.

The Altas fought to within 12 at one point but the Stags quickly shut the door on that uprising with baskets from Sangalang and Jovit dela Cruz. The two teams now share similar 2-1 (win-loss) records.

However, the story of yesterday’s NCAA playdate was the 171-14 obliteration of the San Beda Red Cubs to the Lyceum Junior Pirates, a victory that was highlighted by a game-opening 67-0 run by the reigning champions.

The halftime score was pegged at a humiliating, 92-2. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio