Nzeusseu stars anew as Lyceum wins three straight

Lyceum’s Mike Nzeusseu. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Delivering on his promise, rookie Mike Nzeusseu produced a dominant performance as Lyceum repulsed San Sebastian, 83-79, Thursday to extend its winning run to three games in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

On a day when Perpetual Help and Arellano U forged a three-way tie for third spot with idle Letran, it was Nzeusseu’s game that made heads turn as the 6-foot-6 Cameroonian tallied career-bests of 26 points and 24 rebounds to help the Pirates even their card at 3-3.

“He promised me before this game he’ll go all out to help the team win and he delivered,” said Robinson of Nzeusseu, who notched his third straight double-double.

With Ian Alban finally cooling off with two points after averaging 20 points in the last two games, Nzeusseu stepped up for the Pirates, who set their longest winning streak since Robinson took the coaching reins from Bonnie Tan last season.

Wilson Baltazar, Mer Ayaay and Shaq Alanes also dished out solid games, combining for 34 points for the Pirates, who seized control starting the second period.

With Bright Akhuetie throwing his weight around, the Altas proved too strong against the St. Benilde Blazers, 70-55, while the Chiefs got back on the winning track with a thrilling 88-82 triumph over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals for a 4-2 record just like the Knights.

Bull-strong rookie Lervin Flores poured 20 points that went with 15 rebounds and two blocks while Jio Jalalon poured 15 points and issued 12 assists as the Chiefs bounced back from an 86-101 defeat to the San Beda Red Lions last Friday.

The Chiefs needed a bristling finish to put away the Generals, who kept the game close thanks to Hamadou Laminou. EAC’s Cameroonian center had 23 points, including a breakaway slam against Flores that gave the Generals an 80-78 advantage.

But Flores and Jalalon joined forces as the Chiefs closed out the game on a 10-2 burst.

Arellano coach Jerry Codinera singled out Flores, a rookie transferee from Fatima College, for another solid performance.

“What he’s doing is just pure hardwork,” said Codinera of Flores.

Akhuetie and Gab Dagangon boosted the Altas to a 57-39 advantage after combining for 17 points as Perpetual Help outscored St. Benilde, 25-15, in the third period.

Akhuetie pumped in 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds on top of four blocks, while Dagangon added 16 points. The Altas’ other reinforcement, Prince Eze, had 10 points and eight boards.

The Scores

First Game
ARELLANO 88 – Flores 20, Jalalon 15, Cadavis 12, Alcoriza 10, Salado 7, Nicholls 7, Viloria 5, Canete 4, Gumaru 3, Zamora 3, Holts 1, Enriquez 1, Aguilar 0, Meca 0, Gupilan 0
EAC 82 – Laminou 23, Morada 17, Onwubere 16, King 11, Munsayac 10, Guzman 3, Pascua 1, General 1, Diego 0, Corilla 0, Aguas 0, Estacio 0, Mendoza 0, Serano 0

Quarters: 21-22, 45-36, 62-66, 88-82

Second Game
LYCEUM 83 – Nzeusseu 26, Baltazar 14, Ayaay 10, Alanes 10, Caduyac 9, Marata 7, Serafico 4, Alban 2, Malabanan 1, Soliman 0, Magbuhos 0
SAN SEBASTIAN 79 – Costelo 23, Fabian 19, Ilagan 15, Calisaan 10, Mercado 3, Quipse 3, Sera Josef 2, Johnson 2, Calma 2, Baetiong 0, Capobres 0, Valdez 0, Gayosa 0, David 0, Bulanadi 0

Quarters: 23-24, 48-41, 59-58, 83-79

Third Game
PERPETUAL 70 – Akhuetie 21, Dagangon 16, Eze 10, Pido 7, Hao 7, Coronel 6, Dizon 2, Singontiko 1, Sadiwa 0, Gallardo 0, Oliveria 0, Yuhico 0
ST. BENILDE 55 – Saavedra 15, Domingo 9, Youg 9, Haruna 6, Fajarito 6, Dixon 4, Belgica 3, Castor 2, Pajarillaga 1, San Juan 0, Pasamante 0, Pili 0

Quarters: 15-6, 32-24, 57-39, 70-55