Pirates, Titans score wins in Fr. Martin Cup

MANILA, Philippines – The Lyceum Philippines University A and B Pirates, and the Enderun College Titans brought down separate rivals last Tuesday to stay within range of  semifinal berths in the 20th Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament.

John Zuniga topscored for 14 points, while Jester Ayaay and Raj Elmejrab chipped in 13 for the Pirates-A, who outplayed the RP Youth under-17 team, 84-77, at the St. Placid gymnasium of the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola.

Shane Ko showed the way with 13 points and Jeb Bulawan delivered 12 for the Pirates-B as they fought off the Ateneo-B Blue Eagles, 77-64, and this kept them in contention for one of two semis slots in their bracket, according to commissioner Robert de la Rosa.

Jordan Rios shot 18 points and Erwin Bernard had 10 for the Titans, who stopped the PATTS College of Aeronautics Sea Horses, 69-48, and marched to their fourth triumph in six outings.

The Pirates-A went on to earn their fourth triumph in five outings in Group B, and they are behind last year’s UAAP finalist, the University of Santo Tomas Tigers, who are ahead with their 6-0 win-loss slate.

The Pirates-B picked up their fifth win in seven matches in Group A, and they remained in second spot behind the unbeaten University of Perpetual Help Altas (8-0).

The Titans are also still in contention for a semis slot, and are in third spot with their 4-2 record also in Group A.

In the junior division, the San Beda-A Red Cubs won by default over Chiang Kai Shek, and their 3-1 record puts them in contention for one of four quarterfinal seats in Group B.

The Pirates-A squad quickly picked up the momentum with their 24-14 first quarter lead, before Allyn Malabanan and Zuniga strung up 16 points in powering the Intramuros-based cagers to a 44-39 halftime edge.

Winston Baltazar picked up the pace for Pirates-B in the third canto, shooting a triple and combining for 10 points with Ko as they moved away from a 33-all deadlock.

Their efforts allowed the Pirates-B side to take a 52-45 lead at the end of the third period.

Rhoel Maconocido’s two treys in the last canto allowed the Pirates-B to end with a 13-point spread.