Pirates outflank Generals

squandered a double-digit lead in the third quarter but averted a collapse when it downed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 106-97, yesterday in NCAA men’s basketball at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Pirates watched the Generals mount a 31-8 explosion in under nine minutes to trim their 72-41 cushion to 80-72 before regaining control in the final period.

It was Lyceum’s second straight win after beating San Sebastian Stags, 85-80, in the opener.

Lyceum coach Topex Robinson rued his players’ complacency in the third period that allowed EAC to launch a rally from behind the arc where the Generals drained six three-pointers.

“We have to remind ourselves that EAC will not just give us the win. What happened to us in the third quarter is part of the learning curve that I’ve been telling the boys. If we relax, it’s going to be a recipe for disaster,” said Robinson.

Later in the day, San Sebastian and University of Perpetual Help put behind opening-day losses by posting contrasting wins.

The Stags drubbed the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 85-78, behind the efforts of Michael Calisaan, RK Ilagan and Allyn Bulanadi, while the Altas got a big lift from Edgar Charcos in edging the Letran Knights, 78-75.

Charcos exploded with 27 points and four assists to hand Perpetual’s new mentor Frankie Lim his first triumph after the Altas lost to defending champion San Beda in the inaugural.