Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
On the day San Beda and Letran renewed their rivalry for the first time this season, Lyceum still managed to keep the spotlight with its scintillating play.
With another strong display of firepower, the Pirates surprisingly made light work of the Arellano Chiefs, 99-65, to extend their unbeaten start to four games in the NCAA Season 93 basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan on Tuesday.
CJ Perez fired a season-low 16 points, but seven other players scored at least eight points as the Pirates pulled away in the second half to bring down another contender this season.
The Red Lions prevailed over the Knights, 81-74, while Emilio Aguinaldo College trounced Mapua, 77-72, to even its card at 2-2 just like Arellano and Jose Rizal U.
Robert Bolick had 22 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Jayvee Mocon flirted with a triple double—17 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists—for the Lions, who improved to 4-1.
Sidney Onwubere led EAC anew with 22 points, including clutch baskets down the stretch when it rallied from three points down to pin a third loss in four games on Mapua.
The Cardinals fell to a share of ninth spot with the Knights.
Lyceum coach Topex Robinson was glad to see his team continue improving, although he admitted the Chiefs weren’t at their best.
“We caught them (Chiefs) on a bad day, so we took advantage,” said Robinson. “My players were up to the challenge of improving from our last game.”
LYCEUM 99—Perez 16, Marcelino JC 13, Ayaay 13, Tansingco 13, Nzeusseu 8, Ibanez 8, Marcelino JV 8, Caduyac 6, Serrano 5, Pretta 3, Marata 2, Baltazar 2, Liwag 2, Santos 0.
ARELLANO 65—Nicholls 12, Salado 11, Concepcion 9, Canete 7, Meca 6, Alcoriza 5, Dela Cruz 4, Enriquez 4, Flores 3, Ongolo Ongolo 2, Rivera 2, Abanes 0, Taywan 0, Villoria 0, Padilla 0.
Quarters: 20-11, 40-30, 63-49, 99-65