Pirates sink Generals for solo lead
Balkman and four-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo.
Balkman led San Miguel Beer into the quarterfinals averaging 30.5 points and 12 rebounds in two games while Fajardo had 23 points and 12.5 rebounds. LYCEUM of the Philippines University emerged as solo leader after trouncing the gritty Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), 106-97, in Season 94 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) seniors basketball on Friday at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan City.
The Pirates had an aggressive start but had to fend off the Generals’ furious fightback in the second half to bag their second straight win.
“The guys played well but they kind of relaxed a bit in the third (quarter). But again, we got away with the win and we’re happy,” said Lyceum head coach Topex Robinson.
Jaycee Marcelino sizzled with a career-high 24 points, pouring 13 of those in the crucial fourth quarter, to go with eight rebounds and five steals. Reigning MVP CJ Perez tallied 20 markers, five boards and six steals.
Ralph Tansingco and Jayvee Marcelino added 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the victory.
Robinson’s crew forced Ariel Sison’s EAC to 23 turnovers in the first half and produced 23 points off those blunders. But the Intramuros-based team almost blew a 31-point lead in a third period meltdown.
“If we started to think that EAC is just going to give the win to us, that would be a recipe for a disaster,” said Robinson. “That’s part of our learning curve.”
Lyceum cruised to a commanding 30-12 lead at the end of the first quarter then widened the gap to 56-34 on Jayvee ‘s three-point play late in the second period.
The Marcelino twins initiated a 12-3 run to hand the Pirates their biggest advantage at 72-41 early in the closing half.
Behind veterans Jethro Mendoza, Jerome Garcia and Laminou Hamadou, the Generals regrouped to launch a blazing 36-8 rally, 77-80, entering the final frame.
Jaycee, Perez and Reymar Caduyac spurred a 16- 5 spurt, allowing the Pirates to regain an 18- point cushion, 104- 86, en route to the win.
EAC’s Cameroonian center Hamadou erupted for a double- double of 34 points and 16 boards before sitting out due to a costly technical foul with four minutes left.
Garcia scored 20 points built on four triples while Mendoza had 13 markers all in the third quarter for the Generals.
College of St. Benilde and Colegio de San Juan de Letran are playing their season debut games against opening day losers San Sebastian College-Recoletos and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, respectively, at press time. THE SCORES:
LYCEUM (106)– JC Marcelino 24, Perez 20, Tansingco 11, JV Marcelino 10, Nzeusseu 7, Serrano 7, Ayaay 6, Caduyac 5, Ibanez 4, Valdez 4, Lumbao 3, Yong 3, Pretta 2, Santos 0, Cinco 0
EAC (97)– Laminou 34, Garcia 20, Mendoza 13, Bautista 10, Robin 9, Magullano 5, Natividad 3, Cruz 2, Tampoc 1, Neri 0, Diego 0, Cadua 0, Bugarin 0, Gonzales 0
Quarter scores: 30-13; 59-38; 80-77; 106-97