Pirates sail over Altas, wrest NC lead

MANILA, Philippines - Guest team Lyceum showed it means business in the 87th NCAA, beating host Perpetual, 93-87, to emerge the unlikely leader in the men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Playing their first televised game as NCAA’s newest member, the Pirates were outscored, 1-14, in the early going but recovered their bearing in time to turn back the Altas and post their second straight victory in the week-old season.

“It’s just a blessing that we drew a favorable schedule for our first two games,” Lyceum coach Bonnie Tan said of his crew’s rather unexpected status at the helm.

The Intramuros-based squad followed up its 75-63 win over College of Saint Benilde in a non-televised debut the other day. 

The Pirates drew much of the focus yesterday, and the TV cameras added up to the pressure.

“You could see how pressured the players were when we started the game with a 14-point deficit. At least we were able to recover,” said Tan.

After catching up with the Altas and wresting the lead, 55-53, the Pirates leaned on Onofre Napiza, Kevin Lacap, Jhygruz Laude, Allan Santos and Floricel Gueverra to put Lyceum way out in front at 71-59 in the third and kept an 88-75 bulge with 6:40 left in the contest.

It could have been a lot easier for the Pirates had they not given up precious rebounds, according to Tan. Lyceum lost the battle off the boards, 57-45, and gave up 26 offensive rebounds to Perpetual.

“If you look at the stats, our opponents got too many offensive rebounds. Maybe it was the height factor or simply nerves. 

Arellano University outlasted Jose Rizal University, 79-75, in overtime to improve to 1-1 and hand the Bombers their second straight defeat.

After forcing the extension on Jerald Lapuz’s buzzer-beating banked shot from three-point area, the Chiefs turned to Prince Caperal and Rocky Acidre to sway the extra time to their favor.

Vergel Zulueta fired 21 points for AU, but had to leave with 1:09 left in the extra period due to cramps. Acidre chipped in 15 points and Caperal had 12 markers and 10 rebounds for the Chiefs, who won despite using only eight players.

Byron Villarias shot 21 for JRU, complemented by 17 points from John Lopez while Ronnel Carampil added 15 markers.