Pirates blast Bombers, notch third NCAA win

Games Tuesday

8 a.m. – LPU vs AU (jrs)

10 a.m. – SSC-R vs JRU (jrs)

12 noon – LPU vs AU (srs)

2 p.m. – SSC-R vs JRU (srs)

4 p.m. – SBU vs CSB (srs)

6 p.m. – SBU vs CSB (jrs)

MANILA, Philippines — Lyceum of the Philippines University rolled to its third straight victory in emphatic fashion, hammering a hapless Jose Rizal U side with an 88-56 victory yesterday to remain on top in the 94th NCAA seniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

The Pirates rode on a big second quarter charge to break the game wide-open, 45-23, at the turn then sustained their charge in the last two periods to complete the 32-point rout and make up for their third quarter foldup the last time out.

LPU also led by a big margin against Emilio Aguinaldo College last week but headed to the fourth quarter with a shaky three-point margin.

“We were reminded by our team manager Andrew Lopez that we need to make an effort to not commit the same mistakes we made against EAC,” said LPU coach Topex Robinson.

The Pirates posted a 71-35 bulge late in the third period and never looked back, keeping their hot streak going while dealing the Bombers their second straight defeat.

Earlier, St. Benilde rallied in the last six minutes to turn back Mapua, 90-79, and even its card at 1-1.

Yankie Haruna fired a game-high 19 points, half of which he poured in their 17-0 blitz that shattered a 71-all deadlock and booked the Blazers’ first win after a 79-85 defeat to the San Sebastian Stags last week.

After Laurenz Victoria made two free throws to knot the count at 71 with 6:29 to go in the contest, Haruna keyed the decisive run while the rest of the Blazers shut down the Cardinals with their pesky defense.

The Blazers also went hot from beyond the arc and buried a season-high 12 triples, including five from Fil-Am Justin Gutang, who finished with 17 points, 10 assists and three rebounds.