Despite facing a different Lyceum team compared to the one they took on in the elimination round, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons were unfazed, demolishing the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates, 76-53, Saturday afternoon.
With the win, the Fighting Maroons advance to the next round of the 2018 SMART City Hoops 25-Under Summer Classic. They will take on either the Letran Knights or the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the semifinals.
Though third-year UP head coach Bo Perasol does not want to choose who he wants to face, the amiable tactician is hoping that his team continues to play with the same grit they displayed in the game the rest of the way.
“What I liked the most was how we played defense. It was physical. It’s something that says that we want to win,” Perasol expressed. “Yun yung gusto ko makita, yung desire nila to be better and improve. Games like these are the payoff of what we have been practicing.”
For the first time since winning the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup, the Pirates fielded their Team A sans CJ Perez and MJ Ayaay — both of whom are still training in the States.
However, the effects of the long layoff were clearly evident, as Mike Nzeusseu — who finished the game with 12 points but gobbled up just four boards — and the Marcelino twins — who combined for just 10 points while totalling five turnovers — were off their game.
The Fighting Maroons took advantage, as the quartet of Bright Akhuetie, Will Gozum, JD Tungcab, and Paul Desiderio blasted Lyceum’s press in the third frame. UP’s lead ballooned to as high as 29 points, 74-45, with 2:55 remaining the game.
Gozum powered UP with 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting, while Desiderio and Tungcab had 12 and 11 points respectively. Akhuetie added 10 markers and six boards.
The Fighting Maroons did have a scare, though.
Incoming sophomore Juan Gomez de Liano suffered a sprained left ankle with 9:12 left in the game. He did not return to the game.
“Mukhang ano e no? Pero it happens. But he seems okay,” shared Perasol.
“It hurts but I’ll be fine,” added the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Year.
The Scores:
UP 76 – Gozum 15, Desiderio 12, Tungcab 11, Akhuetie 10, Manzo 8, Lim 6, Prado 6, Gomez de Liano Ju. 4, Santiago 2, Murell 2, Longga 0, Espanola 0.
LPU 53 – Nzeusseu 12, Marcelino JC 8, Tansingco 6, Ibanez 6, Pericas 5, Yong 4, Caduyac 3, Mahinay 3, Marcelino JV 2, Pretta 2, Cinco 2, Guinto 0, Serrano 0.
Quarterscores: 13-10, 27-21, 51-38, 76-53.
