San Sebastian repulses SWU rally

San Sebastian repulses SWU rally

by rick olivares

April 22, 2013

The Arena of San Juan

The San Sebastian Stags fended off a fiery rally by the Southwestern University Cobras to win 84-73 and barge into the win column in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at the Arena of San Juan yesterday.

After going down by as much as 16 points in the third quarter, the Cobras came storming back courtesy of Landry Sanjo and Adam Mohammad who scored nine points in a 16-8 bomb highlighted by a Fabrice Siewe dunk to make it 68-60 with 9:08 to play.

But new Stag find Leo De Vera, out of Los Angeles, U.S.A., and veteran Jon Rebollos scored seven points each in a telling wind up to give Topex Robinson’s Stags the win.

The Stags, playing an uptempo game with a bunch of “no names” as Robinson calls his squad, never took off their foot on the accelerator as the Cobras succumbed to their fifth loss in as many outings.

“I told them that what they have is an opportunity for themselves,” said Robinson who returns to his alma mater after leaving midway through last season after disputes with the former team management. “It’s a way out of poverty and a way to make a name for themselves.”

Playing at a speed all too familiar with Robinson, the Stags, who pushed UAAP champions Ateneo to the limit in a match the previous week, a 75-70 loss, scored 21 fastbreak points.

Jon Rebollos, who played sparingly last season with Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang, and Ronald Pascual in uniform, lead his team with 20 points. De Vera added 18 while veteran Jovit dela Cruz added 13. Raffy Gusi scored 10 while Jaymark Perez, tabbed as “The Beast Part II” compiled 10 points and 11 rebounds for San Sebastian.

Landry Sanjo led SWU with 16 points while Melvin Holper and Monbert Arong chipped in 15 and 12 points respectively.

SSCR 84 – Rebollos 20, De Vera 18, Dela Cruz 13, Gusi 11, Perez 10, Balucanag 7, Guinto 5, Tano 0, Vergara 0, Lee 0, Magno 0.

SWU 73 – Sanjo 16, Holper 15, Arong 12, Mohammad 8, Siewe 7, Pajantoy 7, Bautista 3, Panerio 3, Goloran  2, Otida 0, Bregondo 0.