Filoil: Aldous Torculas off to a flyer as San Beda escapes San Sebastian

Aldous Torculas ushered in what could be a bright new chapter for San Beda University, powering the Red Lions past San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 75-67, in the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Tuesday.

With several stars gone, the transferee from the University of the Philippines delivered 16 points laced with five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block, leading the team in the absence of veteran guard Nygel Gonzales.

The victory marked a new beginning for the defending NCAA champions following the graduation of Yukien Andrada, Bryan Sajonia, and Joe Celzo.

The Stags, who finished as the lowest seed team in the last NCAA edition, made life challenging for the Red Lions with senior Polo Gabat pulling them to six, 68-62, after sinking a pair of freebies late in the fourth quarter.

But Penny Estacio was steady from the three-point arc, regaining a nine-point cushion for San Beda, 71-62, before Jimmy Reyes soared for a jumper that made the lead 73-65.

Gabat still tried to spark another San Sebastian rally, but RC Calimag calmly knocked down two charities to ice the game for an undermanned San Beda side.

Reyes top-scored with 17 points together with seven assists and three steals while Estacio finished with 10 markers. Calimag chipped in seven points while rookie Maco Dabao, a former standout of De La Salle Zobel in the UAAP, tallied seven points as well alongside four boards and three steals.

Gabat paced the Stags with 17 points, six rebounds, and two assists while Niel Castor chimed in with 14 markers and two rebounds.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News