Lyceum settles for no. 2, but adversity motivates Pirates

CJ Perez has experienced success since joining Lyceum in 2017, including leading the Pirates to an elimination round sweep in his first season with the team.

But even as Lyceum ended their NCAA Season 94 elimination round campaign with a 75-68 loss to San Beda, the only team that beat them last season in the Finals, Perez is undeterred.

“Those losses actually motivated each and every one of us,” said Perez in Filipino Thursday. “We didn’t blame each other, we didn’t give excuses because that was the culture that was built into this team.”

“Even though we’ve had a losing run in our final games there was no finger-pointing and it actually helps us moving forward.”

The Pirates settled for the second seed with a 15-3 record, having lost two of their last three games heading into the Final Four.

Unlike last year when they went straight to the finals, Lyceum has to grind it out in the semifinals and that is something that Perez and the Pirates are even looking forward to.

“All of us are excited in the Final Four and I think that’s better compared to last year because you will go through adversity first,” said Perez who finished with nine points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals against the Red Lions.

Lyceum, which has a twice-to-beat incentive, will likely face Letran in the Final Four.