FilOil: 5 players ejected as San Sebastian wallops EAC, 83-68

An ugly brawl, late in the third quarter, stained San Sebastian College's 83-68 demolition of Emilio Aguinaldo College in another hotly-contested and fight-marred game in the FilOil Flying V Pre-season Tournament Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan City. Four players—SSC's Michael Juico and Michael Miranda, and EAC's Igee King and Jan Acebron—were thrown out after the bench-clearing incident. The Golden Stags were holding on to a 59-54 lead when the free-for-all erupted with still 99 seconds to go in the third quarter. The Generals' Herdy Duran, who got into a heated exchange with Miranda, was also ejected early in the match after committing two unsportsmanlike fouls.    The fight started between Miranda and EAC's Jeff Mallari, with King and Juico joining in the fracas. Miranda and King even traded punches as referees, security personnel and coaches Gerry Espana of EAC and San Sebastian's Topex Robinson tried to pacify both players.   The Stags, however, came out more aggressive and used a 16-3 scoring blitz bridging the third and fourth quarters to pull away, 75-57, entering the final five minutes of the match.   The Generals were very much into the game as guard John Monteclaro's three-pointer moved them within three, 57-54. Juico had an easy two on the other end to give the Stags that five-point lead, 59-54.   EAC was setting up its offense when the fight erupted. San Sebastian's Miranda was assessed an unsportsmanlike foul for unnecessary contact against Mallari. As the two were broken up, Miranda walked towards the EAC bench and challenged King.   King stood his ground and the two started exchanging punches. SSC's Juico also joined the mix as the two teams tried to pacify both players. A member of the San Sebastian coaching staff was seen charging towards the EAC bench, looking to retaliate, but was dragged back to the Stags bench.   A Paulino Rebollos three-pointer and back-to-back baskets by Ian Sangalang pushed San Sebastian ahead, 43-36, entering the halftime break.   Calvin Abueva led the Stags with 19 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists, Sangalang scored 17 and grabbed nine boards while Jovit Dela Cruz and Dexter Marquez combined for 23 points and 16 rebounds in San Sebastian's fourth straight win after back to back losses.   Remy Morada tallied 18 points for the Generals, hitting four three-pointers to go with his four rebounds, two assists and three steals in a losing effort. Noube Happi shot 7-of-14 from the field to finish with 18 markers while grabbing 13 rebounds as EAC absorbed its fifth loss in seven games.   Stags coach Robinson said he is concerned on how to contain his players in their games. "I don't know what's happening with the way that the league has been run as far as officiating is concerned."   "I'm not saying that ako yung naagrabyado but it also goes to the other side. It's something that they should work on improving coz it's not just our game that has had this kind of situation," he added.   "Majority of the games has been like that. I want to apologize to coach Gerry [Esplana]. I wasn't in control of the players. It doesn’t look good. I was telling my players, we're not here to box or do non-basketball things. We win the game when you score, its still basketball. It’s kind of ugly but I don't want it to end that way," said Robinson.   When it came to talking about Stags big man Miranda, who figured in altercations with EAC's Duran, Mallari, and King in the entire game, the Robinson said he expects his player to be hated.   "What he can bring to the table is different. I wasn't telling him to play dirty but it's his personality. I can't take that away from him. If I tell him to be nice, I may not make use of him. You don't have to tell him, he's going do it. It's part of the game," Robinson explained. — JVP, GMA News The scores: SSCR 83 - Abueva 19, Sangalang 17, Dela Cruz 13, Maiquez 10, Rebollos 8, Juico 6, MIranda 4, Vitug 2, Balucanag 2, Binuya 2, Antipuesto 0, Grilli 0, Trinidad 0 EAC 68 - Morada 18, Happi 18, Monteclaro 13, Chiong 8, Pillas 5, King 5, Mallari 1, Duran 0 Quarter scoring: 20-18, 43-36 , 62-55 ,83-68 FilOil 052312 SSCR vs EAC