Advertisement

Stags show true form versus Lions

San Sebastian is the team to beat this 88th NCAA Season. And the Stags erased all doubts after they trounced defending back-to-back champions San Beda Red Lions last Monday, 80-71, to grab the share of the lead at 6-2, with Jose Rizal University.
There were doubts because the Stags blew hot and cold in their previous games, losing to the Letran Knights, 74-80, and the Mapua Cardinals, 54-61, and winning by the skin of their teeth against league tail-enders St. Benilde Blazers, 95-93, and Emilio Aguinaldo Generals, 94-93. In other games, they were able to flex their muscles, making mince meat of the Perpetual Help Altas, 80-65, JRU Heavy Bombers, 101-78, Lyceum Pirates, 87-79, and Arellano Chiefs, 91-70.
And then came the showdown between the top two contenders in the last three years — San Beda and San Sebastian. Coming into this game, the Lions were riding on a four-game winning streak, the last one against JRU in an impressive 62-37 triumph. In contrast, the Stags were coming off a stinging loss to the Cards. The anticipated game was also between the league's top offensive and defensive squads. SSC leads the NCAA in offense, with 84 points per game, while SBC ranks fourth, with 73.3. But the Lions are the best in limiting the opponents in scoring, with an average of just 61.3 points per outing, a far cry from the 77 points per game that the Stags allow their rivals.
Both teams came to the game with much energy and enthusiasm. But from the very first quarter, the Stags displayed their superiority over the Lions this season. Pro-bound Ronald Pascual, who suffered an ACL injury less than a year ago, exploded with four out of five triples in the opening period alone. He finished the half with 17 markers, while second stringer Dexter Maiquez added nine points. The Stags led by as many as 22 points in the second canto, at 44-22. But the Lions managed to trim the deficit a bit before halftime, 31-46.

Still, the first half was shocking in the sight of the San Beda faithful. They have never seen their team dominated like this in recent years, not even in 2009 when it lost the crown to San Sebastian.
In the third period however, the Lions roared back strong, using a pesky pressure defense and running attack led by prize sophomore Baser Amer, Jake Pascual, Anjo Caram and Jaypee Mendoza. This was the San Beda team that won the last two championships. At the end of the third quarter, the Stags were just up by one, 59-58.
Then it was time for The Beast to take over. Being closely watched by the Alaska Aces coaching staff, last year's MVP Calvin Abueva took matters in his hands and led another San Sebastian blitz in the final period to post an 18-point lead again, at 80-62. The Lions' woes were compounded when 6'8" import Olaide Adeogun fouled out with still over five minutes left in playtime. SBC tried to stage another comeback but ran out of time.
Abueva had another monstrous game, with 21 points, 21 rebounds and nine assists. Ronald Pascual led all scorers with 28 markers, as he unloaded three more treys in the pay-off period. Maiquez finished with 11 points, while the league-leader in offensive boards Ian Sanggalang added nine points and 10 boards for SSC.
The Red Lions were atrocious in their offense, making only 26 of their 75 attempts. San Sebastian capitalized on their opponents' 17 errors, and collected 17 turnover points. The Stags also won the battle of the boards, 52-43.
This season presents a golden opportunity for the Stags to retain the title they held three years ago. Their archrivals, the Red Lions, are no longer the same team they were in the last four years. They've lost key players like Garvo Lanete, Dave Marcelo, the Semerad twins Anthony and David, Mar Villahermosa and Sudan Daniel.

San Sebastian just lost one major player, playmaker Anthony Del Rio. And it also has more reliable back-ups now like Maiquez, Jovit Dela Cruz, Lyle Antipuesto, Michael Juico and Paul Rebullos.
But Baste's biggest edge is still its dynamic trio of Abueva, Pascual and Sanggalang. So far this season, these three are playing like men among boys. Abueva and Sanggalang are one and two respectively in league scoring, with 20.4 and 20 points per game apiece. Pascual averages 15.1 points, including 24 of 74 conversions from beyond the arc. Abueva is also the current king of the boards, with 17 per game, while Sanggalang has 11.7. Amazingly, Abueva also leads the NCAA in assists, with 6.5 per outing, although he also commits the most turnovers, with 4.9 per game.
If the Stags give their 100% each game like they did against San Beda, it will be difficult to deny them their 13th NCAA men's cage crown. Abueva and Pascual, who are both expected to be among the top five picks in the coming PBA Draft, will move heaven and earth to exit the NCAA as champions. There is no team in the league right now that can handle SSC's Big 3. And if the second unit provides quality minutes, the Stags will be tough to crack.
But the challenge for the Stags is to keep their composure and focus, and follow the lead of head coach Topex Robinson. Abueva must refrain from the dirty antics, including taunting opposing players and the crowd, and just put his heart and mind in carrying his team to victory, being the Stags' undisputed leader. The biggest obstacle that stands between the Stags and the NCAA's top prize is themselves.