Lyceum of the Philippines University snapped their four-game losing skid while extending Emilio Aguinaldo College’s (EAC) misery with a 95-71 rout in Friday’s National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 90 seniors basketball at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Pirates, decreasing their chance for a Final Four berth with four straight losses to start the second round, were starred by the frontcourt duo of Jebb Bulawan and Joseph Gabayni, who took advantage of the smaller EAC lineup that lacked a true center in Cedric Noube Happi.
Lyceum, still in contention with a 6-8 record, saw red on the shaded lane as their backcourt set up Bulawan for open shots, while the hulking Gabayni barreled on post ups against the lanky Sydney Onwubere.
“We just want to break our eight wins last season, that in every season, we are achieving something by increasing our wins,” said Lyceum coach Bonnie Tan, speaking in a realistic tone when asked about the team’s chances for the Final Four.
Bulawan tallied a career-high 20 markers on seven-for-11 shooting, with seven rebounds, while Gabayni posted 16 points and 10 rebounds.
“Coach instructed me to just follow the system and to communicate with my teammates. So I simply moved without the ball and get the extra passes. I simply found the open space,” commented Bulawan on his sterling performance.
Dexter Zamora, who injured his right ankle after a three-point attempt that extended their lead to six, 68-62, was tripped on by EAC guard Joko Tayongtong and the latter was whistled for an unsportsmanlike foul to complete a five-point possession and resulted in the Pirates’ pull-away for a 75-65 lead that was once at 58-all in the third quarter.
Zamora contributed 16 markers, while Tirso Lesmoras chipped in 14 for LPU.
Leading the cellar-dwelling Generals were Joko Tayongtong with 24 points and five assists, followed by Sidney Onwubere’s 16 markers and 11 rebounds, Jack Arquero’s 14 points and eight rebounds, and Jan Jamon with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Box scores:
Lyceum 91 – Bulawan 20, Gabayni 16, Zamora 16, Lesmoras 14, Taladua 10, Mbida 9, Baltazar 5, Malabanan 1, Soliman 0, Maconocido 0, El-mejrab 0
EAC 75 – Tayongton 24, Onwubere 16, Arquero 14, Jamon 11, General 7, Serrano 3, Mejos 0, Saludo 0, Santos 0, Quilanita 0
Box scores: 22-19, 38-33, 65-59, 91-75
