Pirates repulse Blazers, extend streak

MANILA, Philippines – Lyceum coach Bonnie Tan made a vow even before the season started to play their each and every game like it’s the championship. He wasn't joking.

The Pirates treated their non-bearing game against the St. Benilde Blazers as if it’s a title showdown and scraped their way to a 66-54 victory to close out their 89th NCAA basketball tournament campaign with a four-game streak at The Arena in San Juan City Monday.

Dexter Zamora played like a man-possessed and finished with a game-high 21 points he laced with three booming triples and spiked his effort with six rebounds, three assists and a steal to help seal Lyceum its eighth win against 10 losses for their best effort since entering the league two years ago.

"I told the Lyceum community before the season that we will treat all our games like it’s a championship. I was not joking when I said it," said Tan in Filipino.

Zamora also dedicated the win to his province of Bohol, which was affected by the earthquake that hit the Visayas recently.

"I dedicate this win to the people of Bohol, this one's for you," said the 22-year-old Zamora, who vows to come back strong in his final two years in the league.

The game was actually a continuation of their postponed game last Oct. 10 when league officials decided to halt play due to leaks at the venue caused by heavy rains.

Lyceum was leading, 32-31, with over eight minutes remaining in the third quarter.

When played resume, St. Benilde appeared to have dictated the pace as Mark Romero, who was scoreless before the postponement, exploded with 12 points as it took a 49-44 lead at the end of the third quarter.

But Zamora took over and dropped 10 of his total output in the final canto to turn things around in the Pirates' favor.

The Blazers fell to 5-12.

In juniors action, San Beda trounced Letran, 95-84, to nail its 17th straight victory and inch closer to a sweep of the double-round elimination.

The scores:

(First Game)

LPU 66 - Zamora 21, Mbomiko 12, Mendoza 10, Baltazar 9, Ko 7, Francisco 4, Ambohot 3, Azores 0, Soliman 0, Lcastesantos 0, Alanes 0, Garcia 0, Lesmoras 0.

CSB 54 - Bartolo 13, Romero 12, Grey 12, Taha 5, Jonson 4, Garcia 4, Nayve 2, Ongtenco 2, Saavedra 0, Sinco 0, Carlos 0,Argamino 0, Mercado 0.

Quarterscores: 20-11, 32-23, 44-49, 66-54