MANILA, Philippines – The Lyceum Philippines University Pirates stayed in the hunt for a semifinals berth, while the San Beda-A Red Cubs formally barged into the next phase of the 19th Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament.
The Pirates, banking on the big plays of Jesper Cayahay, Kinsman Frando, and Cameroonian Guy Essono in subduing the RP Youth team, 92-69, last Sunday at the St. Placid gymnasium inside the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola.
The Red Cubs, leaning heavily on Evan Furaque and Franz Abude, demolished the Adamson Baby Falcons, 103-51, and completed a seven-game sweep of Group B in the junior division.
Cayahay unloaded a game-high 23 points, while Frando and Essono dished out 21 points apiece for the Pirates, who marched to their third win in five games.
Abude strung up 16 points while Furaque unloaded 12 for the Red Cubs, who quickly took charge with a 32-8 first quarter lead.
With two games left in their schedule, the Pirates stayed in contention for the second semifinals slot in Group B, according to commissioner Robert de la Rosa.
The Pirates, defying the presence of 6’4 slotman Kobe Paras, broke free from a 48-all deadlock in the last six minutes of the third period.
Back to back drives from Cayahay in the last 5:57 touched 11-4 spurt and put the Pirates ahead, 64-50, three minutes later.
In another game, Jarell Lim provided 17 points, while Isaac Go and Tyler Tio tallied 16 points for the Stallions, who stopped the Far Eastern University Junior Tamaraws, 65-55.
The Stallions improved their record in Group A of the junior division at 4-2, while the Junior Tams, who won over the Perpetual Help Altalettes, 83-47, last Thursday, have a 3-3 slate.