Pirates blast Stags, earn 10th straight win

MANILA, Philippines — Dragged into a tight finish in the first round, Lyceum of the Philippines U made sure San Sebastian won’t pose a problem again this time, using a strong start and a stronger finish to post an 88-70 rout yesterday at the start of its second round campaign in the NCAA seniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Reigning MVP CJ Perez exploded for 21 points, pulled down nine rebounds and made five steals and twins Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino combined for 31, 10 boards, nine assists and four steals to power the Pirates to their 10th win-in-row.

Perez and the Marcelinos made things happen early as they combined for 17 of their team’s 27 first quarter points as the Pirates seized a commanding 27-13 lead at the end of the period.

Like in their first round face-off, which Lyceum barely took, 85-80, the Stags pulled to within six at 59-65 at the end of the third canto behind Michael Calisaan. But the troika took over again, scoring 10 points among themselves while making key defensive stops.

“They keep on growing each game and they always energize the team,” said LPU coach Topex Robinson of the Marcelinos.

RK Ilagan, sacked by SSC for playing in another league that led to the forfeiture of its two wins over College of St. Benilde and Jose Rizal in the first round, marked his return with 13 points but it proved not enough as the Stags fell to 1-9.

San Beda likewise scored an expected 73-45 victory over Jose Rizal U later in the day as the Lions stayed right behind the Pirates with a 9-1 card.

The Red Lions held the Bombers to just four points in the first 10 minutes while scoring 15 points of their own and went on to post their 28-point victory over the team they also blasted, 77-40, in the first round.

JRU slipped to 2-8.

The Scores:

First Game

LPU 88 – Perez 21, Jc. Marcelino 17, Jv. Marcelino 14, Pretta 8, Tansingco 7, Nzeusseu 6, Ayaay 5, Valdez 4, Santos 3, Ibanez 2, Lumbao 1, Cinco 0, Yong 0.

San Sebastian 70 – Calisaan 17, Bulanadi 13, Ilagan 13, Calma 10, Capobres 7, Are 4, Dela Cruz 2, Desoyo 2, Villapando 2, Arciaga 0, Isidro 0, Sumoda 0, Valdez 0.

Quarterscores: 27-13; 46-36; 65-59; 88-70.

Second Game

San Beda 73 – Bolick 14, Cabanag 9, Soberano 8, Tankoua 7, Carino 6, Eugene 6, Mocon 6, Doliguez 5, Cuntapay 4, Oftana 4, Abuda 2, Canlas 2, Presbitero 0, Tongco 0.

Jose Rizal 45 – Mendoza 13, Dela Virgen 8, Esguerra 5, Aguilar 4, Padua 4, Silvarez 4, Mallari 3, Bordon 2, Dela Rosa 2, Miranda 0, Santos 0.

Quarterscores: 15-4; 32-21; 49-37; 73-45.