LPU Pirates make it 10 in a row, evade MU Cards

By Ricky Manliguis

MANILA—Lyceum just won’t stop winning.

Riding the momentum from its first-round sweep, the Pirates posted a 96-90 win over Mapua for its tenth consecutive win in the featured game of the opening playdat of round 2 of the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball competitions Tuesday at the FilOil-Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

With usual suspect CJ Perez, LPU went off to a slow start and a strong second half while keeping its Intramuros neighbor at bay throughout the match for the school’s best start since entering the NCAA in 2011.

Perez led the charge with 22 points, 14 coming in the searing first-quarter outburst, while collaring nine rebounds in 27 minutes of action. 

JC Marcelino came off the bench to score 19 markers, while Jesper Ayaay and Ralph Tansingco followed suit with 10 apiece. 

LPU lorded it over in bench production, 59-29, with six reserves scoring at least three points. 

Mapua, playing without star guard Andoy Estrella for the second straight game, outscoring the Pirates 32-23 in the final quarter. But their efforts weren't enough as they remain at the tail-end of the standings with a 1-9 win-loss slate. 

Hesed Leo Gabo led the Cardinals with 21 points, while Christian Buñag chipped in with a double-double of 18 points and 14 assists. 

The scores:

Lyceum 96 — Perez 22, Jc. Marcelino 19, Ayaay 10, Tansingco 10, Caduyac 8, Pretta 8, Jv. Marcelino 6, Liwag 5, Nzeusseu 5, Marata 3, Baltazar 0, Cinco 0, Ibañez 0, Santos 0.

Mapua 90 — Gabo 21, Buñag 18, Victoria 16, Aguirre 11, Nieles 9, Orquina 7, Pelayo 6, Raflores 2.

Quarterscores: 20-21; 48-43; 73-58; 96-90.

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