Games Friday
(Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan)
8 a.m.- MU vs UPHSD (jrs)
10 a.m.- EAC vs CSB (jrs)
12 nn.- MU vs UPHSD (srs)
2 p.m.- EAC vs CSB (srs)
4 p.m.- JRU vs CSJL (srs)
6 p.m.- JRU vs CSJL (jrs)
MANILA, Philippines — Lyceum of the Philippines University vented its ire on Arellano University as it hammered out a 113-79 victory on Thursday and planted a foot in the Final Four in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
JC Marcelino led five other teammates in double digits and fired 21 points on an ultra-efficient eight-of-11 shooting from the field as the Pirates clinched at least a playoff for a Final Four berth by nailing their 13th victory in 14 outings.
Also finishing with double-digit scores were MJ Ayaay (16), Spencer Pretta (15), Reymar Caduyac (13), Jeff Santos (11) and reigning MVP Perez, who finished with just 10 points but came an assist shy from posting his first triple-double effort with 10 rebounds and nine dimes.
It also made up for a heartbreaking 81-83 defeat to Perpetual Help Altas Tuesday that spoiled LPU’s sweep bid.
“It’s a reminder that we should honor the game by giving our best,” said LPU coach Topex Robinson.
The Chiefs slipped to their fourth straight defeat and ninth overall against four triumphs.
LPU came into the game reeling from the painful setback to Perpetual Help.
Robinson, however, found a way to soothe the pain of it by sending the whole team to do charity work with children with down syndrome.
“There’s so much more to winning and losing in basketball games, happy to be part of their day,” said Robinson.
LPU was so impressive and unforgiving that it set multiple season records in most points scored (113), most three-pointers made (14), most assists (27), most fast break points (34) and most bench points (81).
Interestingly, its bench points outscored the whole AU squad.
The Scores:
First Game
LPU 113 -- Jc. Marcelino 21, Ayaay 16, Pretta 15, Caduyac 13, Santos 11, Perez 10, Nzeusseu 7, Lumbao 6, Yong 5, Valdez 3, Tansingco 2, Cinco 2, Serrano 2, Ibanez 0.
AU 79 -- Concepcion 16, Canete 13, Alban 12, Dela Cruz 8, Sera Josef 8, Alcoriza 6, Viloria 4, Segura 3, Codinera 3, Ongolo Ongolo 2, Sacramento 2, Bayle 2.
Quarterscores: 25-15; 54-38; 76-55; 113-79.