Perez uncorks 28 as Lyceum goes up 15-0

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

CJ Perez unleashed a career-high 28 points as Lyceum survived its toughest test yet, escaping San Sebastian, 78-73, to go up 15-0 in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The energetic forward went 3-of-8 from beyond the arc, on top of 10 rebounds, four steals, an assist, and a block to preserve the Pirates’ unbeaten run.

MJ Ayaay proved to be the perfect partner for Perez, getting the job done on the defensive end while tallying 11 markers, seven boards, an assist, a steal, and a block.

Jaycee Marcelino chipped in 11 points, none bigger than his game-sealing lay-up with 19.1 seconds to go, along with six rebounds, while Mike Nzeusseu got a double-double of 11 markers and 11 boards in the win.

“I really don’t know how these guys keep on fighting through the pressure and the adversity. Credit goes to the players because they really are the ones making my job easy,” said coach Topex Robinson, whose wards recorded the second-best start in NCAA history next to San Beda’s 16-0 run in Season 86 back in 2010.

But it was an uphill battle for Lyceum from the get-go before Perez gave his side a 70-62 lead with 5:07 remaining.

The Golden Stags, though, refused to let go, with Allyn Bulanadi cutting the deficit down to one, 74-73, in the final 1:43.

Nzeusseu drilled two freebies on the other end to restore the Lyceum lead back up to three, 76-73, but Jayson David and RK Ilagan botched their attempts in the ensuing possession, giving Jaycee Marcelino a chance to score the game-clinching drive.

While he is glad to see the character of his players, Robinson warned his Pirates to stick to the right mindset they approach their final elimination games against Letran, Jose Rizal U, and San Beda.

“We really have to be mentally tough. What’s more than physical toughness is the mental aspect of that. At the end of the day, it’s the final score that matters,” he said.

Bulanadi carried San Sebastian with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Michael Calisaan had 13 markers and 11 boards in the losing effort.

The Scores:

LYCEUM 78 – Perez 28, Ayaay 11, Marcelino JC 11, Nzeusseu 11, Pretta 6, Marcelino JV 5, Ibanez 3, Srrano 2, Caduyac 1, Cinco 0, Baltazar 0, Tansingco 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 73 – Bulanadi 19, Calisaan 13, David 9, Navarro 9, Ilagan 9, Costelo 6, Baetiong 4, Baytan 3, Mercado 1, Calma 0, Are 0, Valdez 0.

Quarters: 18-7, 33-27, 52-49, 78-73.