Pirates seize solo NCAA lead

MANILA—Lyceum weathered Perpetual Help’s late surge to hammer out a 93-87 victory yesterday and claim the solo lead, even as Arellano prevailed in the first overtime game of the season in the 87th NCAA basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Sustaining their solid play, the Pirates, admitted as a guest team just weeks before the season, climbed back from an early 1-15 deficit and built enough cushion in the final period to hold off the desperate Altas and improve to 2-0.

Later, big man Jerald Lapuz banked in a triple at the buzzer to force overtime and Arellano held Jose Rizal U to just two baskets in the extra period for a pulsating 79-75 triumph.

Chris Cayabyab made two triples midway in the fourth period to help the Pirates push the lead to 88-75 with 3:23 remaining, giving Lyceum breathing room when Perpetual Help scrapped for points near the end.

“It’s a blessing for us winning twice already,” said Lyceum coach Bonnie Tan, whose team also downed St. Benilde, 75-63, in its debut. “The scheduling helped. We want to win games that we are supposed to win.”

The road gets more difficult from here for the Pirates, though, as they face defending champion San Beda on Monday.

Given up for dead after turning the ball over and yielding two free throws with five seconds remaining, Lapuz made the biggest play of the game when he picked up the loose ball and rushed down the court before banking in a triple as the buzzer sounded.

The senior scores:
First Game
LYCEUM 93—Cayabyab 17, Guevarra 14, Santos 12, Laude 11, Lacap 9, Lasmoras 8, Napiza 8, Zamora 7, Ko 6, Francisco 1, Azores 0, Mallari 0.
PERPETUAL HELP 87—Vidal 17, Paulino 13, Alano 13, Elopre 12, Asuncion 10, Thompson 7, Tonggal 6, Jolangcob 5, Arboleda 2, Sumera 2, Sison 0,
Quarters: 18-24, 42-45, 73-65, 93-87
Second Game
ARELLANO 79—Zulueta 21, Acidre 15, Caperal 12, Lapuz 11, Pagayunan 9, Celada 9, Casino 2, Palma 0.
JRU 75—Villarias 21, Lopez 17, Carampil 15, Almario 6, Kabigting 6, Mendoza 6, Apinan 2, Montemayor 2, Paniamogan 0
Quarters: 11-14, 28-32, 47-47, 71-71 (reg.) 79-75