Games on Friday (The Arena)
2 p.m. - San Beda vs Perpetual
4 p.m. - Arellano vs Jose Rizal

League-leader San Sebastian College remained unbeaten while Letran College gained a big headway in its Final 4 bid on Wednesday in the NCAA senior basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Stags waltzed to their 12th straight victory by thrashing Emilio Aguinaldo College, 109-63, and the Knights notched their ninth win in 13 games with a 69-54 decision over College of St. Benilde.

The Knights used a strong third quarter to hand the Blazers their eighth loss in 12 games with Rey Guevarra, a member of the Smart-Gilas national developmental pool, banging in 21 points.

In the first seniors game, veteran Jimbo Aquino led the Stags with 22 points and eight rebounds while rookie big man Ian Sangalang finished with 19 points and 12 boards.
 
San Sebastian’s 44-point winning margin broke the previous season-high recorded by Mapua in the first round when it downed newcomer Angeles University, 101-63, last July 10.

While San Sebastian improved to a perfect 12-0, EAC, which absorbed a 79-73 beating from the same team in the first round, dropped to 3-10.

SSC coach Ato Agustin commended his players for coming out aggressive against the Generals despite a 12-day lay-off, particularly on the defensive end where they controlled the boards, 62-31, while holding their opponent to 24-of-69 shooting or 35 percent.
 
“Maganda ang naging showing ng players, nakita naman that they are hungry for a win maski matagal kami nagpahinga,” Agustin, a former PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), said.

“Alam namin na dangerous ang EAC Generals. Actually all the teams, alam namin na pinaghahandaan nila kami. But we’re always ready, we’ll just take it one game at a time,” added Agustin, whose team will face Mapua on Monday.

After a close first period which ended with the Stags up by five, 18-13, Agustin’s wards went on a 26-15 tear to take a commanding 44-28 advantage at halftime.

The Stags also got solid support from Dave Najorda, who had 20 points and seven rebounds, while Calvin Abueva contributed 17 markers and eight rebounds.

Ronald Pascual finished with six points, 11 boards and two shot blocks.

The scores:

First Game
SSC 109 – Aquino 22, Najorda 20, Sangalang 19, Abueva 17, Semira 9, Raymundo 7, Pascual 6, del Rio 4, Maconocido 3, Bulawin 2.
EAC 63 – Mendoza 30, Santos 9, Cubo 8, Yaya R. 8, Jabaybay 4, Chiong 4, Diolanto 0, Yaya L. 0, Liwag 0, del Rosario 0, Sablan 0, Pingol 0.
Quarters: 18-13, 44-28, 71-48, 109-63.

Second Game
LETRAN 69 – Guevarra 21, Cortes 12, Jazul 10, Gutilban 9, Foronda 8, Alas Ke. 4, del Rosario 2, Datang 1, Taplah 1, Alas Kr. 0, Belencion 0, Pantin 0, Publico 0, Ang 0, Malabago 0.
CSB 54 – Abolucion 13, Manlapaz 9, Tan 8, Montecastro 7, de Guzman 4, Umlas 3, Dalanon 2, Johnston 2, Tajonera 2, Argamino 0.
Quarters: 8-14, 29-25, 45-34, 69-54.