Pirates clobber Generals in NC

Games Tuesday 8 a.m. – UPHSD vs AU (jrs) 10 a.m. – CSJL vs MU (jrs) 12 noon – UPHSD vs AU (srs) 2 p.m. – CSJL vs MU (srs) 4 p.m. – SBU vs JRU (srs) 6 p.m. – SBU vs JRU (jrs)

Lyceum of the Philippines University bucked a third quarter struggle and drew a career effort from Jaycee Marcelino as it trounced Emilio Aguinaldo College, 106-97, yesterday to seize the early lead in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

The Pirates nearly blew a big 72-41 lead in the third period as they turned complacent, enabling the Generals to strike back while pouncing on the former’s miscues to pull within 77-80 on a stirring 36-8 counterattack.

But Marcelino stepped up in the fourth, pouring in 13 of his career-high 24 points as he helped quell the Generals’ rally and secure a second straight victory for the Pirates, who turned back the San Sebastian Stags, 85-80, in last week’s opening games.

“We relaxed and I think that’s part of the learning curve,” said LPU coach Topez Robinson, who later cited Marcelino’s gutsy effort right after Cameroonian Mike Nzeusseu fouled out of the contest.

In the other games, Perpetual Help edged Letran, 78-75, and San Sebastian turned back St. Benilde, 85-78, to barge into the win column.

Edgar Charcos, a transferee from University of the East, fired a career-best 27 points and the Altas held the Knights to just two points in the last seven minutes to book their first win. The scores: First Game LPU 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 Quarterscores: 30-13; 59-38; 80-77; 106-97 Second Game San Sebastian 85 – Calisaan 18, Ilagan 16, Bulanadi 13, Calma 10, Capobres 7, Villapando 7, Dela Cruz 6, Are 4, Sumoda 4, Desoyo 0, Valdez 0.

St. Benilde 78 – Dixon 12, Haruna 10, Pasturan 9, Gutang 8, Belgica 6, Leutcheu 6, Young 6, Carlos 5, Naboa 5, Velasco 4, Pagulayan 3, Domingo 2, Nayve 2, Barnes 0. Quarterscores: 24-27; 44-44; 63-64; 85-78. Third Game Perpetual Help 78 – Charcos 27, Razon 13, Coronel 12, Aurin 10, Eze 7, Peralta 4, Mangalino 3, Gallardo 2, Canoy 0, Cuevas 0.

Letran 75 – Quinto 15, Calvo 14, Ambohot 11, Muyang 10, Fajarito 7, Yu 6, Balanza 5, Batiller 5, Balagasay 2, Agbong 0, Mandreza 0.

Quarterscores: 21-23; 45-44; 60-61; 78-75