Ronald Pascual unloaded a career-high 32 points to help the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags withstand a hard-fighting Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates squad, 87-79, Monday at the FilOil Flying V Arena, in the 88th season of the NCAA.

The Stags, last season's runners-up, had dropped their opening day game against the season's hosts, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, but now find themselves tied with the two-time defending champions San Beda College Red Lions.

"We really expected that they [the Pirates] will play their hearts out," said San Sebastian mentor Topex Robinson. "They came from a loss to Arellano University so we knew they will come out strong."

"I struggled a bit in the first two quarters but my coach told me to keep shooting if I’m open," said Pascual, who finished with an 8-of-21 clip from beyond the three-point arc.


Center Ian Sangalang also produced 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds for the Golden Stags, who could have had a more lopsided win had it not been for an atrocious 25-of-48 performance from free throw line.

The third member of the 'Pampanga Trio,' reigning Most Valuable Player Calvin Abueva, tallied his third career triple-double by posting 16 points along with 23 rebounds, and 10 assists for the Golden Stags.

Chris Cayabyab and Shane Ko scored 20 points apiece for Lyceum, but they still fell to 2-5 in the standings with two games left in the first round.

The Pirates missed the services of Floricel Guevarra, who was out due to a one-game suspension.

Lyceum started strong early in the fourth quarter, grabbing a 73-69 lead with over six minutes left to play, but Pascual's barrage of treys allowed the Golden Stags to snatch a 78-73 lead down with 4:14 left.

San Sebastian next plays the Arellano Chiefs on on Saturday, while Lyceum tries to rally on Thursday against the JRU Heavy Bombers.  - AMD, GMA News


The scores:

SSC-R 87  – Pascual 32, Sangalang 20, Abueva 16, Dela Cruz 7, Binuya 3, Antipuesto 3, Juico 2, Maiquez 2, Miranda 1, Balucanag 1, Rebollos 0, Vitug 0.

LPU 79 - Ko 20, Cayabyab 20, Zamora 11, Francisco 8, Mallari 6, Martinez 5, Ambohot 5, Laude 2, Azores 2, Edding 0, Garcia 0, Pascual 0.

Quarter scoring: 26-19, 42-37, 62-57, 87-79

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