Pirates trip Stags, win 3rd straight
DELIVERING on his promise, rookie Mike Nzeusseu produced a dominant performance as Lyceum repulsed San Sebastian, 83-79, yesterday to extend its winning run to three games in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
On a day when Perpetual Help and Arellano U forged a threeway tie for third spot with idle Letran, it was Nzeusseu’s game that made heads turn as the 6-foot-6 Cameroonian tallied career-bests of 26 points and 24 rebounds to lead the Pirates to a 3-3 card.
“He promised me before this game he’ll go all out to help the team win and he delivered,” said Robinson of Nzeusseu, who notched his third straight double-double.
With Ian Alban finally cooling off with two points after averaging 20 points in the last two games, Nzeusseu stepped up for the Pirates.
With Bright Akhuetie throwing his weight around, the Altas proved too strong against the St. Benilde Blazers, 70-55, while the Chiefs got back on the winning track with a thrilling 8882 triumph over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals for a 4-2 record just like the Knights. The scores: First Game ARELLANO 88— Flores 20, Jalalon 15, Cadavis 12, Alcoriza 10, Salado 7, Nicholls 7, Viloria 5, Canete 4, Gumaru 3, Zamora 3, Holts 1, Enriquez 1, Aguilar 0, Meca 0, Gupilan 0
EAC 82— Laminou 23, Morada 17, Onwubere 16, King 11, Munsayac 10, Guzman 3, Pascua 1, General 1, Diego 0, Corilla 0, Aguas 0, Estacio 0, Mendoza 0, Serano 0 Quarters: 21-22, 45-36, 62-66, 88-82 Second Game LYCEUM 83— Nzeusseu 26, Baltazar 14, Ayaay 10, Alanes 10, Caduyac 9, Marata 7, Serafico 4, Alban 2, Malabanan 1, Soliman 0, Magbuhos 0
SAN SEBASTIAN 79— Costelo 23, Fabian 19, Ilagan 15, Calisaan 10, Mercado 3, Quipse 3, Sera Josef 2, Johnson 2, Calma 2, Baetiong 0, Capobres 0, Valdez 0, Gayosa 0, David 0, Bulanadi 0 Quarters: 23-24, 48-41, 59-58, 83-79 Third Game PERPETUAL 70— Akhuetie 21, Dagangon 16, Eze 10, Pido 7, Hao 7, Coronel 6, Dizon 2, Singontiko 1, Sadiwa 0, Gallardo 0, Oliveria 0, Yuhico 0
ST. BENILDE 55— Saavedra 15, Domingo 9, Youg 9, Haruna 6, Fajarito 6, Dixon 4, Belgica 3, Castor 2, Pajarillaga 1, San Juan 0, Pasamante 0, Pili 0
Quarters: 15-6, 32-24, 57-39, 70-55