6 November 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
Manila, Philippines – Without the presence of star player CJ Perez, San Beda University surely took great advantage and whipped Lyceum of the Philippines University, 73-60, in the Finals Game 1 of the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
With the win, the defending champions now have a 1-0 lead in the best-of-3 series and are only a win away from clinching their third consecutive championship crown in the league.
The Red Lions were hot from the get-go and outscored the Pirates, 19-9, in the first quarter.
Clint Doliguez blasted all of his 11 points at the end of the first half that boosted the Red Lions stretch the lead to 21 points, 43-22.
The Pirates struggled from the field without Perez, who was suspended for one game after he failed to disclose his intent to enter the PBA Rookie Draft.
San Beda was a force to reckon with and still led with a comfortable 20-point cushion by the end of the third quarter, 59-39 and even led by as much as 27 points in the payoff period, 66-39.
Jaycee Marcelino led a late rally coming from the Pirates as they exploded a 15-2 run that saw the deficit cut down to 14, 68-54.
Donald Tankoua tried to stop the bleeding with a basket, but Mike Nzeusseu shot six points in an 8-0 run that inched them closer within 10, 70-60.
However, San Beda put up a stronger defense that stopped Lyceum from scoring any further. With only a few seconds left, Joe Presbitero knocked down a booming triple that iced their victory.
Javee Mocon paved the way for San Beda with a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Robert Bolick finished with 12 points and nine assists.
Tankoua added another double-double record of 10 markers and 16 boards in the win.
On the other hand, Nzeusseu filled in the absence of Perez with a 16-point, 15-rebound double-double, while twins Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino both chipped in 13 markers in the losing effort.
The Game 2 of the Finals will be on Monday, 4pm at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
SAN BEDA 73 – Mocon 14, Bolick 12, Doliguez 11, Tankoua 10, Cabanag 8, Canlas 6, Oftana 4, Presbitero 3, Nelle 3, Cuntapay 2, Soberano 0, Abuda 0, Eugene 0, Tongco 0, Carino 0
LYCEUM 60 – Nzeusseu 16, Marcelino JC 13, Marcelino JV 13, Ayaay 9, Caduyac 5, Valdez 2, Yong 2, Ibanez 0, Pretta 0, Santos 0, Tansingco 0, Serrano 0, Lumbao 0
Quarter scores: 19-9, 43-22, 59-39, 73-60
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