MANILA, Philippines — CJ Perez put in another MVP-like performance, scoring a career-high 31 points as Lyceum of the Philippines University charged back from 16 points down to repel Arellano University, 82-65, yesterday to stay unscathed in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
Perez poured in 13 of his top-scoring output in the fourth quarter and spiked his game-long brilliance with six rebounds, six assists and five steals, powering the Pirates to their fourth straight victory.
The Muralla-based squad actually struggled for form in the early going, falling behind, 17-33, late in the opening period before clawing its way back in the next to pull within 37-41 at the break.
Then Perez took over, scoring almost at will in the last two quarters while the rest backed him up with a tenacious defense that held the hot-starting Chiefs to just 24 points in the last 20 minutes after opening with an impressive 33-point output.
“Arellano is really a dangerous team. We have to respect them. They really played well as a team,” said LPU coach Topex Robinson.
Reigning back-to-back champion San Beda later trounced St. Benilde, 75-69, to pick up its second straight win while San Sebastian blasted Jose Rizal U, 86-76.
Robert Bolick also came through with a career effort of 25 points, including 12 in the final period as the Lions also overcame a shaky start and needed to overhaul a 12-point deficit.
The Blazers, who were led by Clement Leutcheu’s 22 points and 11 rebounds, fell to 1-2.
San Sebastian banked on Alvin Capobres, who fired a game-high 16 points, on its way to posting a 10-point romp over JRU for a 2-2 card.
The Bombers slipped to 0-3.
The scores:
LPU 82 – Perez 31, Nzeusseu 15, Ayaay 13, Marcelino JV 10, Serrano 4, Pretta 3, Caduyac 2, Cinco 2, Marcelino JC 2, Ibañez 0, Santos 0, Tansingco 0.
AU 65 – Cañete 12, Alban 11, Alcoriza 10, Villoria 9, Meca 6, Dela Cruz 4, Concepcion 4, Sera Josef 3, Codiñera 2, Ongolo Ongolo 2, Santos 2, Abdurasag 0, Dela Torre 0, Sacramento 0.
Quarterscores: 19-33; 37-41; 58-54; 82-65
Second Game (srs)
San Sebastian 86 – Capobres 16, Bulanadi 14, Ilagan 13, Calisaan 10, Valdez 9, Are 7, Calma 6, Dela Cruz 4, Villapando 4, Sumoda 2, Desoyo 1, Arciaga 0
JRU 76 – Dela Virgen 14, Padua 13, Mendoza 8, Miranda 8, Ramos 8, Esguerra 7, Mallari 7, David 4, Santos 3, Bordon 2, Silvarez 2, Estrella 0, Aguilar 0, Dela Rosa 0
Quarterscores: 27-15; 51-34; 65-56; 86-76
Third Game
San Beda 75 – Bolick 25, Mocon 14, Abuda 12, Tankoua 6, Soberano 5, Eugene 4, Nelle 3, Oftana 2, Canlas 2, Tongco 2, Cuntapay 0, Doliguez 0
CSB 69 – Leutcheu 22, Young 15, Haruna 10, Naboa 7, Dixon 6, Gutang 4, Carlos 3, Pasturan 2, Velasco 0, Domingo 0
Quarterscores: 15-24; 33-38; 52-52; 75-69