CJ Perez nailed a huge triple to cap an even bigger rally by Lyceum, which held off defending champion San Beda, 73-66, Tuesday night at Filoil Flying V Centre to complete a sweep of its first round assignments in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
Like he has been doing a lot this season, Perez saved his best for last, dumping 10 of his 22 points on the Lions in the fourth quarter to fuel the Pirates’ ninth straight victory.
San Beda dropped its first loss of the tournament after six straight wins.
Robert Bolick kept the Lions in it one last time with a triple that tied the count at 64.
But Lyceum had one more run in it and unleashed a finishing 9-2 kick capped by Perez’s clutch three that left the Lions winded.
Letran Bong Quinto submitted his first career triple double as Letran whipped Mapua, 84-63, in the other game.
Quinto churned out 15 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, the league’s first three triple-double effort since current Star standout in the PBA and former Arellano star Jio Jalalon had one three years ago.