NINE straight wins and nine more to go.
Coach Topex Robinson said this after the Lyceum Pirates smothered the Mapua University Cardinals, 97-74, yesterday at the Arena in San Juan.
CJ Perez struck with 19 points for the Pirates as they ended the first round with a nine game-sweep in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
The sweep, according to Robinson, is not yet a cause for celebration for the team, as they need to work on many things in order to reach the finals.
“As much as it’s okay, we still have nine games to play. So, it’s something we should work on,” said Robinson, who is back from a one-game suspension.
Perez struck with seven points as the Pirates coasted to a 22-8 advantage in the first period.
He joined hands for 16 points with Wilson Baltazar in the second period to lead the Pirates to a 52-34 halftime edge.
Then, Perez gave way to Jeffrey Santos who hit six of nine points in the third, including a pair of driving shots in the closing minutes to give Lyceum their biggest edge, 78-46, with 1:49 left.
Meanwhile, point guard Levi de la Cruz provided the needed support to a struggling teammate as the Arellano Chiefs defeated the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 87-81.
Topscoring for 24 points, De la Cruz proved to be an effective backup to main guard Kent Salado, unloading three of his four triples in the last 2:57.
His heroics allowed the Chiefs to overtake the Blazers and move away, 78-71.
Lervin Flores and Salado added 14 and nine points for the Chiefs, who earned their fourth win in five games.
“I told them to hang in there. Dikit lang at huwag tayong matambakan,” said Chiefs coach Jerry Codinera, after the team fought their way out of 10-point deficit in the third period.
In the junior division, the Mapua Red Robins leaned on a defensive play by Warren Bonifacio to stop the Lyceum Junior Pirates, 102-98, in overtime.