Pirates crush Altas
Lyceum of the Philippines University chalked up its sixth straight victory with a 91-77 romp over Perpetual Help yesterday, overcoming an early deficit to firm up its hold of the solo lead in the 94th NCAA seniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
CJ Perez turned in another superb game of 26 points and 10 rebounds he spiked with three assists and two steals as he powered the Pirates to the 15-point victory that kept them two games ahead with fellow unbeaten and three-peat seeking San Beda Red Lions.
The streak likewise kept LPU on track of duplicating its 18-game sweep last season.
Coach Topex Robinson, however, opted to downplay their surge, saying it’s still too early to tell.
“We like to win as many games as we can but it’s still too early in the season,” he said.
The Pirates actually trailed, 24-30, early in the second quarter but Perez keyed a big 24-8 run to lead the team to a 48-38 lead at halftime.
It was all LPU from there as the Pirates warded off every Perpetual attack in the last two quarters to fashion out the victory.
The Altas absorbed their second defeat against the same number of wins.
San Beda earlier kept its unbeaten run with an equally lopsided 88-70 demolition of Mapua.
Jayvee Mocon exploded with 22 points and hauled down 16 rebounds, easily his best effort after coming into the match with 11 points and 8.7 boards.
Donald Tankoua fired 12 points and seven rebounds while Robert Bolick added 11 points and eight assists.
The Cardinals, led by rookie Warren Bonifacio’s career-best 19 points, slipped to 2-3.
In the other match, rookie transferee JP Maguliano shot a career-best 30 points on 11-of-16 field goal shooting and eight-of-nine from the stripe and crashed the boards with 17 rebounds to steer Emilio Aguinaldo College to a shock 79-77 overtime victory over San Sebastian College.
The victory was the Generals’ first after four defeats while dealing the Stags their fourth loss against two wins. The scores: First Game San Beda 88 – Mocon 22, Tankoua 17, Bolick 11, Oftana 10, Canlas 9, Doliguez 6, Tongco 6, Nelle 5, Eugene 2, Carino 0, Cuntapay 0
Mapua 70 – Bonifacio 19, Pelayo 15, Lugo 8, Serrano 7, Gamboa 6, Victoria 5, Jabel 5, Bunag 2, Aguirre 2, Salenga 1, Biteng 0, Pajarillo 0, Carandang 0 Quarterscores: 30-17; 46-42; 68-58; 88-70 Second Game EAC 79 – Magullano 30, Laminou 13, Garcia 13, Gonzales 7, Mendoza 4, Bugarin 4, Bautista 2, Cruz 2, Diego 2, Robin 2, Tampoc 0, Natividad 0
San Sebastian 77 – Calisaan 23, Bulanadi 14, Capobres 13, Dela Cruz 8, Villapando 7, Calma 7, Sumoda 4, Valdez 1, Are 0, Baytan 0, Desoyo 0, Arciaga 0 Quarterscores: 12-19; 28-37; 48-55; 69-69; 79-77 (OT) Third Game LPU 91 – Perez 26, Jc. Marcelino 20, Pretta 9, Caduyac 8, Ayaay 6, Santos 6, Jv. Marcelino 4, Nzeusseu 4, Tansingco 4, Ibanez 2, Valdez 2, Serrano 0, Yong 0.
Perpetual Help 77 – Eze 20, Razon 19, Charcos 16, Aurin 12, Peralta 7, Mangalino 3, Coronel 0, Cuevas 0, Pasia 0.
Quarterscores: 21-18, 48-38, 68-59, 91-77