Pirates keep record clean, beat Warriors

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Lyceum streaked to its third straight victory in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup after taking down University of the East, 96-80, Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Pirates improved to 3-0 to top Group A while the Red Warriors slipped to .500 mark with a 2-2 card.

CJ Perez, despite converting just five of his 14 field goal attempts, led the Pirates with 14 points to go along with eight rebounds and three steals.

And even though Perez shot just 36 percent from the field, Pirates head coach Topex Robinson kept his faith in his star forward.

“Earlier CJ was missing shots, and he apologized to me,” said Robinson. “But I told him that there was no need to apologize and he that he just have to keep shooting because whether he misses or not he’s going to be in the game.”

UE’s 45 percent shooting percentage was better than Lyceum’s 42 percent but it was from beyond the arc where the Pirates made their mark.

Lyceum made 13 triples, two more than UE’s total attempts.

Ralph Tansingco also had 14 points for Lyceum as he shot 4-of-6 from deep.

Mark Olayon had a game-high 17 points to go along six rebounds, four assists, and four steals.