Jaymar Perez came up with one of his highest output in a game in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.
Perez, who averages 19.2 points per game, struck with 24 points for the Lyceum Pirates as they swamped the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers on Friday night at the Arena in San Juan.
With Perez’s effort and the Pirates’ 17th straight win, Lyceum is a game away from an 18-game sweep.
And the last time that a team completed an 18-game sweep was in season 86.
That was when the San Beda Red Lions went unbeaten.
And they won the crown that year after beating the San Sebasdtian Stags in the finals.
“We came to play. We came to honor the game, and beat whoever we are facing. And you always want to be at your best,” said Pirates coach Topex Robinson.
Back-to-back baskets from Reymar Caduyac in the last 5:32 broke Lyceum out of a 6-all deadlock.
From there, Perez struck twice from inside and the Pirates went ahead on a 10-2 blast, 16-8.
After JRU stay near off Teytey Teodoro’s drive, 13-16, the Pirates pulled away again, 24-18, at the end of the first period, and off Perez’s triple and Jayvee Marcelino’s attack.
Jaycee Marcelino, who only had eight points, then sent the Pirates further ahead with his charities, 30-20, in the last 7:12.
He then handed the Pirates a 57-41 spread in the remaining 5:43.