League-leading San Sebastian won an immaculate 14th consecutive victory after routing College of Saint Benilde, 94-61, in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City last September 14.
Most Valuable Player candidate Jimbo Aquino made another strong case for the coveted award as he hit 25 points while adding nine rebounds and three assists as the Stags tied the longest winning streak in recent years.
Defending three-time champion San Beda was the last team to do so when the Sam Ekwe-led Red Lions won 14 straight from the season's third game until Game 1 of the finals against Philippine Christian University.
The Recto-based dribblers moved within four victories of sweeping the 18-game eliminations and earn an outright seat in the finals. But for now, it is not in the agenda of head coach Ato Agustin.
"We’re not thinking of a sweep right now and I kept reminding the players to just focus on one game at a time," said Agustin, who is in his maiden campaign with the team.
With the double-round eliminations going down to its final three weeks, San Sebastian's schedule will be as harder as ever as it will play Arellano, Letran and Jose Rizal University on September 21, 25 and 28, respectively, before meeting San Beda on October 7.
For the short term, the Stags are eyeing the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four, needing just two victories to achieve such feat.
Big man Ian Sangalang backstopped Aquino with 16 points while fellow rookies Ronald Pascual and Calvin Abueva added 12 points each for San Sebastian.
The Blazers suited up without four injured players - namely Jeff Morial, Chuck Dalanon, Robbie Manalac and William Johnston fell to seventh place with a 4-10 record.
In the other game, Emilio Aguinaldo College moved to sixth spot in the team standings after conquering fellow guest team Angeles University Foundation, 87-73.
Behind guard Argel Mendoza's 25 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, the Generals won their second straight for a 5-10 card and overtake the Blazers for sixth in the standings.
The Great Danes fell further in the bottom of the standings with dismal 1-13 record.
In juniors’ action, Gino Juamo-as drilled 20 points and hauled down 10 rebounds as four-peat titlist San Sebastian edged CSB-La Salle Greenhills, 71-66, to inch closer to joining Letran and San Beda in the Final Four with an 11-3 card.
EAC, for its part, slammed AUF, 74-53, to seal its third win in 15 assignments.
The scores:
First Game (Jrs.)
San Sebastian 71- Juamo-as 20, Delgado 15, Ramirez 13, Estrada 7, Hilario 7, Mendoza5, Magno 2, Trinidad 2, Laconico 0, Pante 0
CSB-LSGH 66- Flores 22, Pate 16, Vergara 10, Sta. Maria 7, Trajano 7, Pumaren 4, Tanhueco 0, Carlos 0, Calaquian 0, Miguel 0
QS: 14-15; 33-25; 47-38; 71-66
Second Game (Jrs.)
EAC 74- Alanes 19, Booc 16, Cuello 15, Guinita 10, Canaynay 7, Magtaas 3, Denora 2, Ocampo 2, Mayone 0, Onwubere 0, Padrones 0
AUF 53- Lakandula 22, Tuazon 6, Bondoc 6, Gando 5, Dizon 4, Olalia 3, Tamayo 2, Laxamana 2, Cayanan 1, Maniti 1, Sanchez 0, Castillejos 0
QS: 20-11; 45-21; 63-35; 74-53
Third Game (Srs)
San Sebastian (94) – Aquino 25, Sangalang 16, Abueva 12, Pascual 12, Raymundo 9, Gatchalian E. 6, Najorda 5, Maiquez 5, Maconocido 2, Semira 2, Bartolo 0, Gatchalian J. 0.
CSB (61) – Tan 13, Umlas 13, Montecastro 8, De Guzman 7, Manlapaz 4, Tajonera 4, Urra 4, Wong 4, Abolucion 2, Argamino 2.
QS: 27-11; 50-25; 77-40; 94-61
Fourth Game (Srs.)
EAC 87- Mendoza 25, Cubo 17, L. Yaya 15, Diolanto 8, Santos 8, R. Yaya 7, Chiong 5, Liwag 2, Jabaybay 0, del Rosario 0, Sablan 0, Pingol 0, Ong 0
AUF 73- Fuertez 16, Gigante 13, Nacu 12, Carney 10, Musni 7, Manarang 7, Gomez 6, Henson 2, Santos 0, Maniago 0
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