Lyceum eyes keeping spotless record intact

Lyceum eyes keeping spotless record intact

Lyceum eyes keeping spotless record intact

Lyceum eyes keeping spotless record intact

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CURRENTLY league-leading Lyceum Pirates return to the court today against the San Sebastian Stags with an eye on extending their good start to Season 93 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Undefeated in their first two games in the brand-new season of the country’s longest-standing collegiate league, the Pirates (2-0) jostle with season hosts Stags in the 4 p.m. match set at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan City.

Opening for the scheduled triple-header in seniors play today is the battle between defending champions San Beda Red Lions and Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals at 12 noon to be followed by Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers versus Letran Knights at 2 p.m.

The latest of Lyceum’s wins came at the expense of San Beda, 96-91, on July 14.

NCAA-comebacking player CJ Perez led the Pirates anew, uncorking a game-high 24 points, as they kept powerhouse San Beda at bay for much of the game.

Cameroon’s Mike Harry Nzeusseu had a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds while Reymar Caduyac added 16 points for Lyceum, which is looking to shed its middling ways in the NCAA since joining it in 2011.

“I’m just blessed to have these players who are driven,” said Lyceum coach Topex Robinson of his wards, who are living up to preseason hype as a tournament dark horse.

For the Pirates to extend their streak, they are to do it against the Stags (1-1), winners in their last game and eyeing to set a winning trail of their own.

Banking on their defense, the Stags outlasted the Arellano Chiefs, 65-56, to frustrate the latter at their homecourt of Arellano Gym.

It was a rebound victory for San Sebastian after losing its first game of the season on opening day on July 8 against San Beda.

“We learned in our San Beda loss that we couldn’t relax in the fourth quarter. That is the reason we made a conscious effort to play with more intensity and defend harder in the fourth quarter,” said San Sebastian coach Egay Macaraya of their victory over Arellano.

Michael Calisaan paced the Stags with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Meanwhile, in the opening game, San Beda (2-1) goes for back-to-back wins after being tripped previously.

The Lions feasted on the College of St. Benilde Blazers last time around, 76-54, behind a balanced attack.

Their opponent, EAC (1-1), lost in its last game to Letran, 83-80, and is out to get back to winning.

In the second game, JRU (1-2) and Letran (1-1), two teams coming from contrasting directions, collide.