Chris Cayabyab fired 20 points, while transferee Allan Santos collected 19 points and 17 rebounds as the Pirates pounced on the lethargic Blazers, who missed top scorer Carlo Lastimosa because of a throat infection.
Esplana, who took over as coach in the final three games of the season last year, became a winner as the Generals finished with a flourish to overcome the Arellano Chiefs, 84-77.
Transferee Jolas Paguia shot 22 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, where the Generals outscored the Chiefs, 34-18.
“We have a young team and we are rebuilding so the win shows a lot of the character of the players,” said a relieved Esplana, who played for Presto, Shell and Sta. Lucia in the PBA.
“Scoring 34 points in the fourth quarter for us was unbelievable,” he added.
Without Lastimosa, the Blazers proved easy pickings for the Pirates, who leaned on Cayabyab’s steady outside shooting to keep St. Benilde at bay.
“It’s our first time to play so there was less pressure,” said Lyceum coach Bonnie Tan. “We’re just happy that we were given a chance to play in the NCAA.”
The Generals, flashing a swagger that had gone missing last season, ran at every opportunity and scored on fastbreaks to wipe out the Chiefs’ 15-point lead in the third period with Emil Vargas sparking the late blitz.
Vargas buried a triple and fed Paguia for an undergoal stab as the Generals finally seized control, 69-61, with six minutes remaining. The Chiefs responded with a 9-1 blast behind Adrian Celada, whose layup trimmed the gap, 70-71.
Paguia’s trey with 1:03 remaining gave the Generals a five-point cushion, before Vargas made a fastbreak layup on the next play to ice the game, 80-74.
Vargas contributed 18 points and Jan Jamon chipped in 15 for the Generals, who shot an impressive 51-percent clip.
In juniors play, CSB-La Salle Green Hills demolished the Lyceum Junior Pirates, 93-23, while the EAC trounced Arellano, 81-73.
The senior scores:
First game
LYCEUM 75—Cayabyab 20, Santos 19, Guevarra 13, Ko 10, Lesmoras 3, Azores 2, Lacap 2, Laude 2, Napiza 2, Zamora 2, Anacta 0.
ST. BENILDE 63—Romero 20, Taha 12, Dela Paz 8, Altamirano 7, Sinco 5, Pate 5, Tan 4, Grey 2, McCoy 0, Nayve 0.
Quarters: 16-14, 38-30, 56-49, 75-63
Second game:
EAC 84—Paguia 22, Vargas 18, Jamon 15, Cubo 7, King 7, Torralba 5, Morada 3, Yaya 3, Chiong 2, Sanchez 2, Diolanto 0.
ARELLANO 77—Acidre 21.Celada 15, Zulueta 13, Caperal 12, Lapuz 7, Pagayunan 5, Palma 2, Gumaru 2. Okpe 0, Casino 0.
Quarters: 21-21, 31-35, 50-59, 84-77