Perez, Nzeusseu power Pirates to 5th win in row
Lyceum of the Philippines University rode on the stellar performance of CJ Perez and Mike Nzeusseu as it waylaid Mapua, 94-81, to extend its run to five and remain at the helm in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.
Perez, the reigning MVP, nearly completed a triple double with 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists while Nzeusseu powered his way to 16 points, 16 rebounds and four shot blocks to help keep the Pirates’ streak going. The Cardinals dropped to 1-2. Mapua actually outscored Lyceum in the second quarter, 23-15, and grabbed a 41-39 lead. But the Pirates came out of the break an organized lot, blasting the Cardinals with their run and gun game to seize control at 68-55.
They never wavered in the fourth with Perez and Nzeusseu and JC Marcelino combining to frustrate the Cardinals.
Earlier, Levi dela Cruz hit a triple with 4.5 seconds left as Arellano U charged past San Sebastian, 82-81, in overtime to force a three-way tie for third.
Dela Cruz, who also came through wtih clutch baskets against Emilio Aguinaldo, preserved his endgame heroics with an interception that broke the Stags’ last possession for the victory, their second in three starts for joint third with the Perpetual Help Altas and the Letran Knights.
JM Calma gave SSC a twopoint cushion at 81-79 off a split in the last 14.2 seconds but the Chiefs never gave up and went to dela Cruz, who buried the booming trey then stole the Alvin Capobres’ inbound pass to Arjan dela Cruz to seal the victory.
The Knights earlier demolished the Jose Rizal U Bombers, 74-58.