13 July 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
MANILA, Philippines – Lyceum of the Philippines University managed to stave off the Emilio Aguinaldo College, 106-97, Friday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan, to take an early solo lead in the NCAA Season 94 senior’s basketball tournament.
The Pirates had a hot start, with the reigning MVP CJ Perez leading the squad scoring 15 of his 20 points in the first half of the game, giving the Pirates a comfortable 21-point cushion.
Lyceum continued their hot streak after the break and went ahead with a 72-41 lead. However, EAC took a gallant stand against LPU and made a comeback late in the third to wash away the Pirate’s double-digit cushion.
Jerome Garcia shot a dagger trey that started the Generals’ 36-8 rally. Jethro Mendoza and Hamadou Laminou made back-to-back points and closed the scores within three, 80-77.
Coming into the fourth, Marcelino once again took the lead, dropping a triple into the basket to gain a 5-point lead, 86-79, two minutes left.
Big man Mike Nzeusseu was fouled out with only a few minutes left to play, but Ralph Tansingco lived up to his team’s expectations, draining another triple for the Pirates and secure an 8-point lead, 104-88.
Marcelino had 24 points on top of eight rebounds and 5 steals and Perez added 20 points, five boards and six steals.
Meanwhile, Tansingco tallied 11 points and JV Marcelino had 10 points that helped seal the win for the Pirates
Laminou led the Generals with a double-double record of 34 points and 16 rebounds, along with four blocks. Garcia chipped in 20 points.
The Scores:
LPU (106) – JC Marcelino 24, Perez 20, Tansingco 11, JV Marcelino 10, Nzeusseu 7, Serrano 7, Ayaay 6, Caduyac 5, Ibanez 4, Valdez 4, Lumbao 3, Yong 3, Pretta 2, Santos 0, Cinco 0.
EAC (97) – Laminou 34, Garcia 20, Mendoza 13, Bautista 10, Robin 9, Magullano 5, Natividad 3, Cruz 2, Tampoc 1, Neri 0, Diego 0, Cadua 0, Bugarin 0, Gonzales 0.
Quarter scores: 30-13, 59-38, 80-77, 106-97.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @meanxi
