MANILA – The San Sebastian Stags relied on the pair of efforts by skipper Jimbo Aquino and rookie Calvin Abueva in the crunch as it stunned reigning three-peat titlist San Beda Red Lions, 72-68, in double overtime Thursday to move on the crest of snaring its first title in seven years in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at the Big Dome.

Aquino, who was held to single-digit efforts in their last two losses to the Lions, spewed 24 points including four in the second OT while Abueva had 10 points he spiked with a season-high 23 rebounds, five blocks and three assists to send the Stags closer to clinching their first title in seven seasons and 12th overall.

“We stopped their running game, that was the biggest key,” said San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin.

The Stags could finish it off on Sunday while the Lions hope to bounce back big and force a deciding Game Three on Thursday.

It looked like the Lions were going to take this one when they fought their way back from a 12-point deficit in the first half and a 45-53 disadvantage early in the 4th quarter.

But San Beda used its defense as an anchor and shut down San Sebastian the rest of the regulation, while neophyte Rome dela Rosa capped an 8-0 blitz with a long jumper to knot the count at 53-all and force the first extra time.

Bam Bam Gamalinda then nailed a pair of booming triples in the second OT as the Lions surged ahead to a 60-57 lead only to see it vanish as Abueva and fellow greenhorn Ian Sangalang combined for five free throws to give the Stags a 62-60 edge with 20 seconds to go.

Again, San Beda hung tough as Borgie Hermida found himself in no man’s land and squeezed his way to the basket for a sneaky lay-up that tied the count again while forcing the 2nd extra time.

Aquino and Abueva came through in second OT by combining for all but one 2nd OT points to seal it for the Stags, who made their first finals appearance since losing to the Letran Knights in a three-game finale five seasons back.

“What can I say, they’re just incredible,” said Agustin of Aquino and Abueva.
 
Cubs gore Squires, close in on 17th title
 
Earlier, the San Beda Red Cubs jumped the gun on the Letran Squires as it hammered out a 98-75 victory yesterday to inch closer to regaining the juniors’ title it last snared four seasons ago.

Baser Amer sizzled with 19 points he spiked with 10 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block while Dave Moralde, Arthur dela Cruz and Roldan Sara chipped in 18, 12 and 11 points, respectively, to power the Red Cubs to a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three series.

The triumph sent San Beda just a win away from snaring its 17th title overall, or a crown closer to Mapua’s league-best of 18.

San Beda mentor Ato Badolato said it was defense that did the trick.

“Our defense worked in the first half,” said Badolato, who is coaching his last season since taking over 37 years ago and steering the Mendiola-based school to 15 titles.