CJ Perez, Jaycee Marcelino and MJ Ayaay controlled the boards and orchestrated the big plays that led the Lyceum Pirates to an 88-70 smashing of the San Sebastian Stags yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.
The Pirates refused to take the Stags lightly and their decision not to allowed them to stay unbeaten after 10 games at the start of the second round of the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
Perez shot 21 points and had nine rebounds for the Pirates, who took the helm following a 13-2 blast in the first period.
Marcelino added 17 points and six rebounds to the Pirates’ overall effort, while his twin Jayvee added 14.
“It was a good win for us. Before this game, I reminded this team not to be deceived of San Sebastian as a lower-ranked team. That’s because they are playing like a Final Four team,” said Lyceum coach Topex Robinson.
Ayaay only had five points, but it was his triple midway in the first canto which gave the Pirates a chance to move away early at 16-10.
From there, Perez and Marcelino took charge underneath and the Pirates never looked back after taking a 27-13 spread when the second period got under way.
In junior action, the San Beda Red Cubs banked on the heroics of Art Oliva in the third period to post their fourth straight triumph over Jose Rizal University Light Bombers, 62-56.
Oliva went on to finish with 15 points with Justine Sanchez and the Red Cubs picked up their seventh win in 10 matches to stay in third.
“They’re (Light Bombers) a tough team. Hirap talaga kalaban. May hustle at physical. Pero masarap kalaban,” said Red Cubs coach JB Sison.
Later, the San Beda Red Lions improved to 9-1 after Robert Bolick fired 14 points and led the team to a 73-45 crushing of the JRU Heavy Bombers.
The Red Lions limited the Heavy Bombers to just four points in the first period to take a 15-4 lead in the first 10 minutes of play.
In another junior play, John Barba and Mclaude Guadana scattered 28 and 24 points, respectively, to power the Lyceum Junior Pirates to a 93-83 triumph over the San Sebastian Staglets.
The Junior Pirates and the Staglets now share a 4-6 slate.