Jaycee Marcelino powers Pirates past Blazers

MANILA, Philippines – Jaycee Marcelino took charge in the second half as Lyceum of the Philippines University edged College of St. Benilde, 85-83, on Friday to firm up its hold of second place in the 95th NCAA basketball tournament at the Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Marcelino unleashed a game-high 22 points, including 15 in the final half, as the Pirates nailed their ninth win against three defeats while tightening their grip of No. 2.

It also pushed Lyceum closer to the league-leading San Beda Lions, who are unscathed in 12 games.

“We’re just blessed to have a talented player like him,” said LPU coach Topex Robinson referring to half of the energetic Marcelino wonder twins playing for him.

Mike Nzeusseu pounded it inside and finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds to help in the cause.

LPU also spoiled Justin Gutang’s very first triple-double performance with 12 points, 10 boards and 10 assists that resulted to the Blazers skidding to their fifth defeat against six triumphs, or just a game away from a resurgent Mapua, which survived Emilio Aguinaldo, 79-76, to improve to 5-6.

It was actually the Cardinals’ fifth win in their last six outings after starting the season with five straight defeats.

Riding the crest of a career 31-point effort in a 105-101 double overtime win over Letran last week, Noah Lugo was at it again and unloaded 16 points this time.

Lugo shone the brightest late when he sparked an 18-6 run in the final two minutes that gave the Cardinals enough cushion to weather a late fightback by the Generals.

EAC had a chance to steal the game but Marvin Taywan air-balled a potential game-winning three-pointer in the dying seconds.

Lugo then iced the win with a foul shot.

The scores:

First Game

Mapua 79 – Lugo 16, Bonifacio 13, Victoria 11, Gonzales 9, Gamboa 7, Bunag 6, Serrano 5, Nieles 4, Nocum 4, Salenga 2, Aguirre 2, Garcia 0.

EAC 76 – Maguliano 15, Taywan 13, De Guzman 12, Mendoza 10, Dayrit 8, Cadua 7, Gurtiza 4, Luciano 3, Estacio 2, Martin 2, Gonzales 0.

Quarterscores: 17-20; 35-43; 58-56; 79-76

Second Game

LPU 85 – Jc. Marcelino 22, Nzeusseu 14, Ibanez 11, David 9, Jv. Marcelino 6, Tansingco 6, Caduyac 5, Navarro 5, Santos 5, Yong 2, Guinto 0, Valdez 0.

St. Benilde 83 – Naboa 15, Belgica 12, Gutang 12, Nayve 10, Carlos 9, Young 9, Flores 4, Haruna 4, Dixon 3, Leutcheu 3, Lim 2, Lepalam 0.

Quarterscores: 16-14; 39-41; 69-66; 85-83