Lyceum stuns San Beda

Starring blue-chip recruit CJ Perez, Lyceum shocked defending champion San Beda, 96-91, last night in the 93rd NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Perez poured in 24 points as the Pirates scored its first win over the Red Lions in four years, a fitting follow-up to their 96-75 victory over perennial Final Four contender Jose Rizal U last Tuesday.

Veteran Reymar Caduyac, a veteran guard tasked to play the 4-spot, delivered a pair of clutch lay-ups as the Pirates outsteadied the usually composed Red Lions in a tight finish.

“Hopefully it would propel our (title) drive,” said Pirates coach Topex Robinson. “But again, it’s really looking at the vision of really showing that we have a good culture, good leaders, good individuals who are inspiring others.”

Do-it-all guard Robert Bolick collected 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists while fellow off-the-bench Clint Doliguez added 19 in yet an- other balanced attack but the Red Lions surprisingly lost steam in the crunch.

“To beat San Beda it will take a lot of grit, perseverance, and just never giving up,” stressed Robinson.

Earlier, Emilio Aguinaldo College, considered by many as one of the title contenders, made an auspicious debut behind a 74-64 victory over St. Benilde while Jose Rizal U dumped Perpetual Help, 68-54.

Cameroon import Hamadou Laminou, although far from his top form as he continues to recover from a medial collateral ligament (MCL) in- jury in his left knee, proved too much for the Blazers frontline as he collected 21 points and seven blocks—both game-highs—on top of 13 rebounds to help the Generals set their title bid in motion.