NCAA: Lyceum stops Mapua, Perpetual Help goes back-to-back

Lyceum’s John Barba.-NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Lyceum stunned Mapua, 96-81, in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday at San Juan Arena.

The Pirates stretched their winning streak to three games behind a fourth-quarter surge and another stellar outing from guard John Barba.

Barba finished with a near-double-double of 25 points and nine rebounds to power Lyceum to a 3-2 card. Barba scored at least 25 points for the third consecutive game.

READ: NCAA: Lyceum posts first win, Mapua makes it two in a row

Claude Guadaña and Vincent Cunanan added 16 and 15 points, respectively for the Pirates, who stopped the Cardinals’ three-game run.

Jeco Bancale’s 14 points paced the Cardinals, who dropped to 3-2. Reigning MVP Clint Escamis also had another all-around game with 13 points, four rebounds and six assists.

Stags’ struggles continue

Perpetual Help’s Christian Pagaran.-NCAA PHOTO

Perpetual Help handed struggling San Sebastian its fourth straight loss, 60-52.

Christian Pagaran manned the paint for the Altas with 12 points, nine rebounds and a block while Cedrick Abis tallied 12 and three steals as the Altas improved to 4-2.

READ: NCAA: Star rookie lifts Perpetual Help

Perpetual Help looks to make it three in a row when it takes on Letran on Saturday.

The Stags, who fell to 2-4, drew 11 points from Rafael Are. They will try to end their slide against the Cardinals on Friday.