Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Lyceum hands Benilde its worst start since 2004


Adrian Alban proved that he not just a one-hit wonder.

Alban led the Lyceum of the Philippines University in a 75-58 win over the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, its sixth straight loss, Thursday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

The 20 year old floor general, after going 7-for-10 in their win against the JRU Heavy Bombers, rode the wave of momentum he is on. He went 8-for-10 this time for 21 points. Harry Nzeusseu added a double-double with 15 points and 22 rebounds.

“Last game nung JRU, tinext kagad ako ni Coach Topex na huwag ako makuntento sa isang magandang laro,” Alban said about taking advantage of the opportunity given to him. “Every practice after nun, mas hinihigitan ko pa yung practice ko para magtuloytuloy yung laro ko.”

Saint Benilde suffered a double black eye in the game in the opening quarter. A minute and 30 seconds in the game, Benilde’s leading rebounder Clement Leutcheu fell awkwardly on his left knee after a crash board situation. The foreign student-athlete did not return to the game.

The Pirates held the Blazers to just seven opening quarter points and continued to punish in the next three quarters.

During the third frame, Yankee Haruna tried to will the Blazers back, scoring four points in a 6-0 spurt, to cut the lead to just seven, 46-39 with 4:38 remaining in the quarter. The rally was also highlighted by a breakaway jam by the Filipino-American that brought the Benilde faithful in attendance to its feet.

After a timeout by Lyceum head coach Topex Robinson, the Pirates regained its composure capped by eight straight points by Wilson Baltazar, including back-to-back threes, to sustain a double-digit lead.

#ReadMore  PCCL founder Rey Gamboa, 81, passes away

“Prior to the game, I reminded them that Benilde’s standing is not a reflection of that team. Don’t fall into the trap that they are 0-5 and that they will easily fall down to us,” Robinson said. “I just told them to honor the game.”

The lead further grew to a game-high 20 points, 67-47, after four straight points by Nzeusseu. The Benilde offense moreover caved in, forcing themselves to contested shots, up until the final buzzer.

Lyceum shot at an efficient rate, 42.47 percent, compared to just 31.51 percent by Benilde. In addition, Lyceum shot 36 attempts from the foul stripe, converting on 21. On the other hand, Benilde only had 14 attempts.

Christian Fajarito and Yankee Haruna scored 13 markers each for Benilde.

Lyceum (2-3) will next face Topex Robinson’s former team San Sebastian on Tuesday, July 26 at 2:00pm. On the other hand, Benilde (0-6) face a tough task, facing the Perpetual Altas on the same day at 4:00pm.

The Scores:

LPU (75) – Alban 21, Nzeusseu 15, Baltazar 13, Alanes 11, Ayaay 6, Caduyac 6, Marata 1, Serafico 1, Magbuhos 1, Malabanan 0, Soliman 0, Soriano 0

CSB (58) – Fajarito 13, Haruna 13, Young 8, Dixon 8, Saavedra 6, Domingo JJ 4, San Juan 2, Pajarillaga 2, Pasamante 2, Castor 0, Domingo JS 0, Belgica 0, Leutcheu 0

Quarterscores: 17-7, 33-23, 59-45, 75-58

Written By




You May Also Like

AU

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines flexed its might in the quarterfinals of the Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup presented by...

AdU

De La Salle University completed a clean sweep of the elimination round, while defending UAAP champion University of the Philippines wrapped up with back-to-back...

Basketball

De La Salle University erupted for a scorching third quarter to keep its unbeaten streak alive, while National University locked in the final UAAP...

AdU

La Salle kept its immaculate record intact in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive, steamrolling Far Eastern...

Basketball

De La Salle University is doubling down on its trust in head coach Topex Robinson. Robinson has signed a fresh three-year extension that will...

AU

Zed Etulle delivered in the clutch to help San Beda snap its losing streak in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented...

AU

In a testy, physical showdown between UAAP rivals, La Salle held off a furious late rally from National University to stay unbeaten in the...

Basketball

Kurt Laput is ready to take the next big leap in his basketball career — transitioning from the UCAL to the UAAP. The 5-foot-9...

Advertisement