Pirates clip SSC Stags

Games Tuesday (The Arena, San Juan City) 12 noon — Perpetual vs San Beda (Jrs) 2 p.m. — Perpetual vs San Beda (Srs) 4 p.m. — St. Benilde vs JRU (Srs) 6 p.m. — St. Benilde vs JRU (Jrs)

Top gun Jaymar Perez played at his usual best while Jaycee Marcelino came through with a clutch threepoint play down the stretch as Lyceum survived host San Sebastian last night, 78-73, to sustain its form in the 93rd NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The 6-foot-1 Perez tallied a careerbest of 28 points on top of 10 rebounds and four steals while the lefty Marcelino added 11 points, including a lay-up against defender RK Ilagan in transition that practically sealed the deal with 19.1 se conds remaining.

“Again, I really don’t know how these guys keep on fighting through the pressure and the adversity. Credit goes to the players because they really are the ones making my job easy,” said Lyceum coach Topex Robinson as the Final Four-bound Pirates extended their winning streak to 15.

Wingman Allyn Bulanadi tallied 10 of his team-high 19 points in the final canto, including a floater that pulled the Golden Stags within one at 73-74 with 1:43 left to play.

Earlier, Jose Rizal University crushed Perpetual Help, 85-52, to boost its Final Four drive.

Veteran forward Bong Quinto sizzled with a career-best of 27 points as Letran compounded the woes of Emilio Aguinaldo College 84-78.

The Knights also got 19 points and nine rebounds from Rey Nambatac.