It took 278 days but boy, was it sweet for CJ Perez and the Pirates.
In their first showdown since the NCAA Season 93 Seniors Basketball Finals, the Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates escaped with a 73-66 victory over defending champions San Beda University Red Lions, Tuesday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Lyceum remained unbeaten to end their first round campaign with an nine-game sweep – their 27th straight elimination round win. Moreover, the Pirates handed the Red Lions their first loss in eight games.
“Again, we know what San Beda could do and that [this game is] going to be something that people are watching,” said Pirates head coach Topex Robinson. “We want to imprint our name and our school in that league where people watch our games. That’s really big for us.”
With the game knotted at 64-all with 1:26 left, Nino Ybañez, who had just come off the bench, knocked down a triple – the go-ahead basket of the game. AC Soberano took two back, coming off free throws to put San Beda within striking range.
Lyceum sued for time afterwards.
“It is just fitting that what worked for us was what our pre-game talk was about. It’s about who we are playing for. We are not playing the competition but we are playing for ourselves,” reflected Robinson.
Off a play designed by assistant coach Jeff Perlas, the Pirates perfectly looked for the open man. Staying patient, Reymar Caduyac was able to find a wide-open CJ Perez, who knocked down a triple to ice the game with 28.9 ticks left.
“Actually wala dapat sa akin, napunta lang sa akin. Kahit nagmintis ako ng marami, binigyan nila ako ng kumpyansa,” said the reigning MVP, who had 22 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Jaycee Marcelino had 13 points, while Spencer Pretta provided an early spark, scoring 11 of his 10 points in the first half.
Mike Nzeusseu was limited to just four points and four rebounds.
Donald Tankoua paced San Beda with 19 points and 18 rebounds. Javee Mocon also tallied a double-double with 10 points and 15 boards.
Robert Bolick had 18 points but was contained in the final frame, scoring just two points in the payoff period.
The Red Lions look to bounce back on Friday, August 24, when they take on the JRU Heavy Bombers.
The Scores:
LPU 73 – Perez 22, Marcelino JC 13, Pretta 11, Ayaay 6, Caduyac 5, Nzeusseu 4, Marcelino JV 4, Ibanez 3, Tansingco 3, Serrano 2, Santos 0, Yong 0
SBU 66 – Tankoua 19, Bolick 18, Mocon 10, Soberano 10, Canlas 4, Doliguez 3, Eugene 2, Abuda 0, Nelle 0, Presbitero 0, Oftana 0, Tongco 0
Quarterscores: 19-17, 35-28, 50-50, 73-66
