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Stags beat Bombers, seal Final 4 bonus
Written by staff   
Thursday, 08 October 2009 03:59

MANILA -- After failing to make it to the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Finals the easier way, San Sebastian Stags is now doing it the hard way.

Relying on its sweet-shooting skipper and an unlikely source the Stags weathered the hard-fighting Jose Rizal Bombers, 84-78, Wednesday to inch closer to the best-of-three finals in Season 85 of the NCAA at The Arena in San Juan City.

Jimbo Aquino, who is in contention to snare the Most Valuable Player (MVP) plum, erupted for a game-high 20 points he spiked with 11 rebounds.

Second-stringer Edward Semira scored 5 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter, including a jump shot with 22 seconds left to help the Stags seal the important Final Four bonus by knocking down their 16th win against a setback.

“They made some key shots in the stretch, they really saved us,” said San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin, referring to Aquino and Semira.

The Stags would need to repeat over reigning titlist San Beda Red Lions, currently at second spot, in the last match of the double-round elimination to clinch top seed and the right to face No. 4 Letran.

The Stags bounced back into winning form following a painful 63-80 loss at the hands of the Letran Knights less than two weeks ago.

The defeat spoiled San Sebastian’s bid for a historic sweep that would have sent it straight to the Finals.

“After our first loss, I told the players we’re in danger of finishing third if we don’t do something about it,” said Stags coach Ato Agustin, referring to their 63-80 loss to Letran.

The game turned ugly when San Sebastian’s Calvin Abueva and Jose Rizal’s Marvin Hayes, both Amerasians, got into each nerves late in the third period.

Abueva was slapped with an unsportsmanlike foul, his fifth and final foul, for pushing Hayes, who was spared a call from the referees.

Game officials also tossed out San Sebastian’s Gilbert Bulawan for bench clearing.

The Bombers were led by MVP race leader John Wilson and Hayes, who scored 14 points each. They fell to their third setback against 14 wins.

Blazers notch win No. 6, drown Altas

In a non-bearing game, St. Benilde downed Perpetual Help, 67-59, to improve to 6-11.

The Altas closed out the season toting a 3-15 card.
 
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