Lyceum of the Philippines University seeks to keep its record immaculate as it shoots for win No. 7 when it plays College of St. Benilde today in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Pirates booked their sixth straight victory by outgunning the Perpetual Help Altas Friday and will remain unscathed and keep the solo lead if they overcome the Blazers, who dropped three of their first five games, in their 2 p.m. encounter.
LPU’s success can be attributed to the team’s much-improved defense to complement its dreaded running game.
In six outings, the Pirates have averaged a league-high 91 points a game, while running fourth in points allowed at 76 points behind only San Beda’s 62.5, Letran’s 68 and CSB’s 73.8.
“We’d like the press the energy out of every team we face because we really want to focus on our defense more than outscoring our opponents,” said LPU coach Topex Robinson.
CJ Perez is another reason LPU is ticking as he is averaging 20.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 3.5 steals and nearly a block a game, while turning the ball lesser this season than last with just 2.3 turnovers to put himself in a position to win a second straight MVP award.
They will play a Blazers’ side that is coming off a heartbreaking 60-64 defeat to the Letran Knights Thursday.
Meanwhile, Letran (3-1) tries to sustain its resurgence as it guns for a fourth win in row versus Arellano U (2-2) at 4 p.m.
Bong Quinto and a much-improved frontcourt have been the keys to the Knights re-emergence as legitimate title-conteders.
Quinto fired a team-best 17 points in his team’s recent triumph, while big men Larry Muyang, Chris Fajarito and Jeo Ambohot have been dominating the point by norming a combined 26.5 points, 22.6 rebounds and two blocks an outing.
“We will try to take advantage of our size each game because we know we are blessed in that department,” said Letran mentor Jeff Napa.
In the only other seniors’ game, Mapua U (2-3) and San Sebastian (2-4) face each other at 12 noon hoping to get back in the thick of things.
