NCAA Season 94: Pirates thwart Blazers

Games tomorrow (UPHSD Gym, Las Pinas)
2 p.m.- SSC vs UPHSD (jrs)
4 p.m.- SSC vs UPHSD (srs)

Lyceum of the Philippines University leaned on a big third quarter push as it turned back an upset-conscious College of St. Benilde, 77-65, yesterday to keep its sweep bid alive in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Trailing 39-43, with four minutes left in the third quarter, reigning MVP CJ Perez sparked a 13-0 blitz that turned things around for the Pirates in snaring their seventh straight victory and on course of sweeping the double-round elimination for the second straight season.

“There’s always going to be a challenge. There’s always going to come a time where we have to push ourselves to the limit and do our best and I’m glad my boys didn’t give up on this one,” said LPU coach Topex Robinson.

Perez continued to lead the MVP race as he racked up 22 points, 12 rebounds and five steals while Mike Nzeusseu had 16 points, 13 boards and five shot blocks.

Jaycee Marcelino chipped in 14 points while MJ Ayaay added 11.

Earlier, San Sebastian bucked the absence of suspended RK Ilagan as it routed Mapua, 94-70, to improve to 3-4 (win-loss).

Stags coach Egay Macaraya said the team suspended Ilagan for the rest of the first round amid the ongoing investigation by the NCAA Management Committee over the latter’s alleged involvement in playing in other leagues which is not allowed in the league.

The NCAA has yet to render a decision on the matter at press time.

Alvin Capobres exploded with a career-high 21 points including 17 in the first half when the Stags made their move.

The Blazers and the Cardinals both skidded to 2-4.

The scores:

First Game
San Sebastian 94
– Capobres 21, Bulanadi 14, Desoyo 12, Calma 11, Valdez 9, Calisaan 8, Isidro 7, Dela Cruz 7, Sumoda 4, Arciaga 1, Villapando 0, Are 0, Baytan 0

Mapua 70 – Pelayo 15, Victoria 13, Bunag 8, Bonifacio 7, Jabel 7, Lugo 7, Gamboa 7, Biteng 3, Carandang 3, Aguirre 0, Serrano 0, Garcia 0, Salenga 0, Bautista 0

Quarterscores: 24-16, 41-40, 70-53, 94-70

Second Game
LPU 77
– Perez 22, Nzeusseu 16, Marcelino JC 14, Ayaay 11, Caduyac 6, Marcelino JV 5, Pretta 3, Tansingco 0, Serrano 0, Ibanez 0, Cinco 0, Santos 0, Valdez 0, Yong 0

CSB 65 – Gutang 13, Dixon 13, Haruna 12, Leutcheu 8, Pasturan 8, Young 7, Carlos 4, Naboa 0, Velasco 0, Domingo 0, Belgica 0

Quarterscores: 20-21, 34-31, 56-51, 77-65Photo by inboundpass