By Ricky Manliguis
SAN JUAN, MM–San Sebastian finally got the recipe to halt its losing streak.
The Stags broke their nine-game skid as it stunned Perpetual Help, 71-55, in the first game of Friday’s NCAA Season 92 basketball action at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Defense and rebounding worked wonders for the Recto-based cagers as it limited the Altas to only 17 points the entire second half on a measly 34 percent shooting, while in the process hauling a plus-10 advantage in rebounding, 51-41, en route to victory.
It also forced the Las Piñas-based team to commit a game-high 20 turnovers, as well as lording it over from the perimeter, firing 43 points to Perpetual’s nine.
Alvin Capobres scored 13 points on his 22nd birthday on top of five rebounds in 21 minutes of action. He joined forces with Allyn Bulanadi in scoring 14 of the team’s 26 first quarter points.
Bulanadi and Regille Ilagan both accounted for 11 points.
It was the Stags’ second win in 11 matches to stay in ninth place in the team standings, two games ahead of cellar-dwelling Saint Benilde (0-10), which are scheduled to meet the Arellano Chiefs as of press time.
Bright Akhuetie was the lone double-digit scorer for the Altas with 21 points and nine boards, but had only nine points in the second half.
The loss ended the Altas’ six-game winning run to fall to third place at 7-3.
Box Scores:
San Sebastian 71–Capobres 13, Bulanadi 11, Ilagan 11, Fabian 10, Calisaan 9, Valdez 6, Baetiong 5, Sera Josef 4, David 2, Mercado 0, Calma 0, Johnson 0
Perpetual Help 55 – Akhuetie 21, Hao 9, Pido 6, Coronel 6, Dagangon 4, Ylagan 4, Eze 4, Sadiwa 1, Dizon 0, Singontiko 0
Quarterscores: 26-20, 41-28, 51-37, 71-55
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