Second-generation guard scores 31 to beat Stags; Bombers nip Cards
Kevin Alas scores two of his career-high 31 points over Calvin Abueva. The Knights won, 80-74. (Arvyn Peter Radovan / FCF)
GAME SUNDAY (June 24, 2012) – The Arena in San Juan City
2:00pm – Arellano University vs San Beda College
Reaffirming his worth as part of the Smart Gilas cadet team, Letran Knights guard Kevin Alas fired a career-high 31 points off the bench to repulse last year’s finalist San Sebastian Stags to open Season 88 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday night.
Following a grand opening ceremony that highlighted the rich history and tradition of Letran as an institution, the Knights lit up fireworks of their own to cap off a great opening day for the season hosts in their 80-74 victory.
Alas, last season’s Mythical Five member, pushed the current host to a ten-point halftime lead, 39-29, scoring on three dribble penetrations that resulted in three-point plays.
The Stags, fielding in their own Big Three of Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang, and Ronald Pascual for one last season, was lethargic in the first half due to the Knights’ tough transition defense as Abueva and Pascual shot bricks for the entire half.
In the third canto, reigning most valuable player Abueva, playing point forward for the entirety of his stay, blitzed for ten points that led to a 12-0 run midway in the quarter to put the Stags in the driver’s seat, 53-50.
But despite Alas’ stellar effort, the Knights’ role players proved to be integral for Letran’s triumph, with Kevin Racal, Jam Cortes, and Mark Cruz scoring a combined 16 points in the quarter.
The Stags’ Big Three ultimately renounced the game as Pascual and Abueva fouled out early in the period while Sangalang, who topscored for the Stags with 24 points, afforded only a basket in crunchtime. Abueva finished with 18 points and 17 rebounds while Pascual, returning from an ACL injury sustained from last year’s finals, went scoreless in 22 minutes.
In the second game, the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers edged the Mapua Cardinals with a masterful finish, 65-64.
Despite trailing slightly for most of the game, the Bombers scored on crucial putbacks and layups courtesy of veteran forward John Lopez, who scored 14 points in the second half on his way to a double-double finish of 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Nate Matute, who came out firing in the first half with 12 markers, totalled for 16 points to back up Lopez. John Villarias also made his presence felt with 11 points.
The Cardinals, despite missing four players including key recruits Gab Banal and Joseph Eriobu, displayed intense hustle in the game but failed to capitalize on it by missing three shots in the final 15 seconds.
Surprise contributor Andrew Estrella put up 22 points, including a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, in his NC debut but the rookie’s valiant efforts against the odds were put to naught.
BOX SCORES
First game
LETRAN (80): K. Alas 31, Belorio 14, Cruz 10, Racal 9, Cortes 8, Almazan 6, Lituania 2, J. Alas 0, Gabawan 0, Pantin 0, Luib 0
SAN SEBASTIAN (74): Sangalang 24, Abueva 18, Dela Cruz 11, Balucanag 11, Antipuesto 4, Juico 2, Miranda 2, Rebullos 2, Pascual 0, Binuya 0, Maiquez 0
QUARTERS: 14-13, 39-29, 50-53, 80-74
Second game
JOSE RIZAL (65): Lopez 20, Matute 16, Villarias 11, Monserat 5, Mabulac 4, Carampil 4, Camasura 3, Dela Paz 2, Almario 0, Mendoza 0, Maconocido 0, Salaveria 0, Porter 0
MAPUA (64): Estrella 22, Nimes 13, Ighalo 9, Chien 7, Stevens 7, Parala 3, Banal 2, Abad 1, Cantos 0, Layug 0
QUARTERS: 21-14, 36-39, 48-50 65-64
