NCAA 94: Perez leads Pirates oast Chiefs

CJ Perez turned in an MVP performance as Lyceum of the Philippines University overhauled a 16-point deficit to turn back Arellano University, 82-65, yesterday to remain undefeated and on top in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Perez, the reigning MVP, erupted for 13 points in the fourth quarter and finished with a career-high 31 points he spiked with six rebounds, six assists and five steals to help keep the Pirates at the helm with a perfect 4-0 (win-loss) record.

LPU, however, encountered some problems early as AU jumped the gun on the former to seize a 33-17 lead late in the first quarter but slowly but surely clawed their way back to seize the lead, 58-54, entering the quarter.

It was all Perez from there as he took charge to bury down the Chiefs, who absorbed their first defeat in two starts.

“Arellano is really a dangerous team. We have to respect them. They really played well as a team,” said LPU coach Topex Robinson.

Reigning back-to-back champion San Beda likewise stayed unscathed as it overcame St. Benilde, 82-65.

Robert Bolick also came through with a career effort with 25 points, 12 of which came in the final period that lifted the Lions to their second win in a row.

San Beda also had a bad start as it trailed CSB by 12 points, 7-19, but fought hard to regain the lead and claim the win.

The Blazers, who was led by Clement Leutcheu’s 22 points and 11 rebounds, fell to 1-2.

San Sebastian drew strength from Alvin Capobres, who fired a game-high 16 points, as it edged Jose Rizal, 86-76, to improve to 2-2.

The Bombers slipped to 0-3.

The scores:
LPU 82 – Perez 31, Nzeusseu 15, Ayaay 13, Marcelino JV 10, Serrano 4, Pretta 3, Caduyac 2, Cinco 2, Marcelino JC 2, Ibañez 0, Santos 0, Tansingco 0.

AU (65) – Cañete 12, Alban 11, Alcoriza 10, Villoria 9, Meca 6, Dela Cruz 4, Concepcion 4, Sera Josef 3, Codiñera 2, Ongolo Ongolo 2, Santos 2, Abdurasag 0, Dela Torre 0, Sacramento 0.

Quarterscores: 19-33; 37-41; 58-54; 82-65

Second Game
San Sebastian 86 – Capobres 16, Bulanadi 14, Ilagan 13, Calisaan 10, Valdez 9, Are 7, Calma 6, Dela Cruz 4, Villapando 4, Sumoda 2, Desoyo 1, Arciaga 0

JRU 76 – Dela Virgen 14, Padua 13, Mendoza 8, Miranda 8, Ramos 8, Esguerra 7, Mallari 7, David 4, Santos 3, Bordon 2, Silvarez 2, Estrella 0, Aguilar 0, Dela Rosa 0

Quarterscores: 27-15; 51-34; 65-56; 86-76

Third Game
San Beda 75 – Bolick 25, Mocon 14, Abuda 12, Tankoua 6, Soberano 5, Eugene 4, Nelle 3, Oftana 2, Canlas 2, Tongco 2, Cuntapay 0, Doliguez 0

CSB 69 – Leutcheu 22, Young 15, Haruna 10, Naboa 7, Dixon 6, Gutang 4, Carlos 3, Pasturan 2, Velasco 0, Domingo 0

Quarterscores: 15-24; 33-38; 52-52; 75-69