Perez keys Pirates’ romp; Lions roarin’

Games Tuesday (Filoil Flying V Centre)

10 a.m. – CSJL vs SBU (jrs)

12 noon – CSB vs SSCR (jrs)

2 p.m. – CSJL vs SBU (srs)

4 p.m. – CSB vs. SSCR (srs)

MANILA, Philippines — Lyceum of the Philippines U and San Beda U carved out victories in varying fashions as they firmed up their hold of the 1-2 spots in Season 94 NCAA seniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.

CJ Perez took charge in the fourth quarter as the Pirates survived the Jose Rizal U Heavy Bombers’ upset bid with an 82-74 victory that stretched their win run to 11.

Trailing 63-68 early in the fourth quarter, the Pirates went to the reigning MVP, who responded by sparking a 25-6 blitz in the stretch to frustrate the lowly Bombers and help deliver another win for last year’s runners-up.

Perez scored seven points during that blistering run and finished with 30 points on top of a career-high 16 rebounds.

Coming into the match the clear underdogs, the Bombers showed up with a gutsy game from tipoff, even taking control majority of the way. They took a 68-63 lead on a bucket by Jarvy Ramos with less than seven minutes remaining in the tightly fought contest.

JRU slipped to a 2-9 (win-loss) record.

The Red Lions, meanwhile, kept the Pirates within striking distance as the reigning champions smashed the Mapua Cardinals, 80-55, for a 10-1 card.

Donald Tankoua powered his way to a game-high 24 points while snaring eight rebounds to steer the Lions to huge leads from the second quarter on.

The Cardinals fell to 2-8.

In the third game, San Sebastian got back at Emilio Aguinaldo College, pulling off a 78-67 victory to tie JRU at 2-9.

The scores:

First Game

LPU 82 – Perez 30, Nzeusseu 14, Ayaay 12, Caduyac 9, Tansingco 5, Ibañez 4, Serrano 4, Marcelino JV 2, Yong 2, Santos 0, Pretta 0, Cinco 0

JRU 74 – Dela Virgen 18, Estrella 15, Mendoza 14, Mallari 11, Silvarez 6, Ramos 6, Esguerra 4, Padua 0, Miranda 0

Quarterscores:18-19, 37-36, 56-58, 82-74

Second Game

San Beda 80 – Tankoua 24, Oftana 11, Mocon 9, Abuda 8, Bolick 7, Eugene 5, Canlas 4, Carino 4, Soberano 3, Tongco 3, Cabanag 2, Presbitero 0, Doliguez 0, Nelle 0, Cuntapay 0

Mapua 55 – Victoria 19, Pelayo 12, Serrano 8, Gamboa 8, Bunag 2, Bonifacio 2, Nieles 2, Aguirre 2, Lugo 0, Biteng 0, Garcia 0, Jabel 0, Salenga 0

Quarterscores: 19-18; 44-26; 60-42; 80-55

Third Game

San Sebastian 78 – Ilagan 16, Calisaan 15, Capobres 14, Bulanadi 12, Dela Cruz 11, Calma 6, Sumoda 4, Valdez 0, Are 0, Desoyo 0, Isidro 0, Villapando 0

EAC 67 – Garcia 23, Laminou 13, Maguliano 11, Bautista 8, Mendoza 6, Gonzales 4, Natividad 2, Cruz 0, Corilla 0, Cadua 0, Diego 0, Neri 0, Bugarin 0

Quarterscores: 12-14; 33-26; 50-52; 78-67