Stags complete major,major comeback vs Bombers

Defending Champion San Sebastian Stags completed one of the greatest comeback this season in the 86th NCAA men's basketball tournament.

The Golden Stags of coach Ato Agustin engineered a late rally against the upset consicious Heavy Bombers of Jose Rizal University in the fourth period to turn a 13 points deficit to a 64-59 win on Wednesday at the Arena San Juan City.

JRU appeaared for a huge upset win as the Heavy Bombers,behind outside gunners NAte Matute and Raycon Kabigting,enjoyed a 57-44 spread with a barely minute gone in the final canto.

It was in the third that the Mandaluyong best cagers slowly made their move with Matute draining back to back three pointer's that turned a slim 41-40lead into a 47-40
advanatge with 4:27 minutes left.

A Jeckster Apinan put later back pushed JRU's lead to 11,55 44 at the end off the third.

Kabigting then gave the Bombers a 13 points edge,57-44 after finding himself at the receiving end of a Matute pass scoring on a fastbreak layup in the 9:13 left mark of the fourth.

San Sebastian managed to trim that deficit but JRU seemed to be control of the game after Cameroonian center Joe Etame made it 59-52 with 7:06 to go.

But that everyone thought

JRU would never scored again and San Sebastian,behind basket Ronald Pascual,Jonathan Sermira and Calvin Abueva move to within one heading to final minutes

Pascual who failed out suit up for the Stags in their 62-51 win over St.Benilde last week,receiving a pass from Pamboy Raymundo a burried blooming triple to give San Sebastians a 61-59 lead with 1:52 left in the game clock.

After a defensive stop,Abueva found and Gilber Bulawan underneath for a 63-59 lead to pull away and complete their come from behind win.

The Recto Based squad improved to 10 wins and one defeat to secure atleast a playoff for a semifinals berth.The win also kept them one game behind unbeaten San Beda for the top spots.

"We were struggling and its seems that we havent had that focus.we hard time against their press and but we were able to adjust," Agustin said." But somehow we managed to stop them especially their shooters."

Abueva,who admitted during a televison interview that he still it 80 percent condition,had 13 points and 18 rebounds after injury his ankle in a game against College Of Saint Benilde

"Calvin played well despite coming off a sprained ankle while Ronald made some big shots for us although he just well from sickness," said Agustin.

Semira had 10 points while Pascual added 9 points behind a 3of 7 shooting from downtown to go with his five rebounds.

The stinging loss put JRU to an 8-3 slate for solo third spots.

Matute's last week NCAA press corps co players of the week,finished with 12points on a 4 of 8 shooting from rainbow distance while Kabigting added 10.-JVP GMA.NEWS.TV