By Alex Cerado
SAN JUAN, MM--The Lyceum Pirates overcame a shaky start and walloped an undermanned Emilio Aguinaldo (EAC) Generals, 59-45, in a non-bearing game in the second round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena on Thursday.
Lyceum improved to 4-12 win-loss card, while EAC remained at the bottom of the standings with two victories in 14 outings.
Both teams were already eliminated in the Final Four race.
The Generals, who played without suspended star players Sidney Onwubere, Raymond Pascua and Jeric Diego, managed to lead in the first half, 25-22.
But the next turn of events gave Emilio Aguinaldo another commodity.
Jefferson Mallari was thrown out of the court early in the third quarter after deadlocking Lyceum import Victor Nguidjol.
With the Generals still leading by as much as seven in the third canto, 38-31, the Pirates turned the tables and fueled an 8-0 rally to end the third quarter with the lead, 39-38.
Lyceum only needed a good defense in the final frame which forced EAC a number of turnovers to secure a double-digit advantage, 55-44.
Nguidjol muscled his way to a double-double performance of 16 points and 14 rebounds.
Francis Munsayac led the Generals with 11 markers.
Box Scores:
Lyceum 59–Nguidjol 16, Ayaay 10, Baltazar 7, Sunga 4, Lacastesantos 4, Taladua 4, Alanes 3, Gabayni 3, Malabanan 2, Elmerjab 2, Bulawan 2, Marata 2, Soliman 0, Mbida 0
EAC 45–Munsayac 11, Mejos 10, Hamadou 10, Estacio 6, General 4, Bonleon 3, Mallari 1, Pascual 0, Corilla 0
Quarterscores: 12-6, 22-25, 39-38, 59-45
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