Former Batang Gilas cager Mclaude Guadana came up with another great showing as he led Lyceum to a 93-81 swamping of the University of the Perpetual Help Junior Altas yesterday at the UPHSD gymnasium in Las Pinas.
Guadana struck with 33 points for the Junior Pirates, who posted their fourth win in six matches in the junior division of the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament.
Jaerolan Omandac contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Junior Pirates, who joined the La Salle Greenies in second spot. Gyle Montano added 14 points in the Junior Pirates’ bid to catch up with co-leaders San Beda and Arellano, which share the lead at 4-1.
The Junior Pirates quickly took charge with a 26-17 first-quarter lead, with Guadana knocking in 10 points.
In the second period, Guadana banged in 10 points to push the Junior Pirates to a 49-35 halftime edge.
“Kailangang doblehin namin ang energy sa game. Kasi, hindi nila ibibigay ang panalo dito sa homecourt nila,” said Junior Pirates’ coach JC Docto.
Yuki Kawamura unloaded 22 points, while Emman Galman made 20 points for the Jr Altas, who now have a 3-4 slate.
Meanwhile, with 10 days of rest behind them, the College of St. Benilde Blazers are getting ready to move ahead of the defending champion San Beda Red Lions when they take on the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers at 2 p.m. today in the senior action the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.
Monsoon rains over the week and unpredictable weather saw the Blazers missing two games. They will have a chance to post their fifth straight triumph this time.
Later, the San Sebastian Stags will miss suspended coach Egay Macaraya when they clash with the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals at 4 p.m.
In the junior side, the Greenies will go for the solo lead when they take on the JRU Light Bombers at 10 a.m.
The Blazers will play without top performer, Justin Gutang, who missed their encounter with the Stags because of a partial MCL tear he sustained against the Cardinals two weeks ago.
But they will welcome the return of one of their veterans Yankee Haruna, who got back in action last week after he injured his jaw in the PBA D-League last May.
Macaraya will sit away from the bench in the next game of the San Sebastian Stags after he was penalized with a one-game suspension for an unsportsmanlike conduct during one of their timeouts in their matchup opposite Lyceum two weeks ago. The Stags’ mentor was sanctioned for ordering a player to slap the injured hand of Lyceum cager Harry Nzeusseu in the closing minutes of their Pirates’ game with the Stags.