NEXT MAN CUP: LYCEUM DOWNS ATENEO

Lyceum of the Philippines bounced back from last week’s stinging defeat to San Beda’s Team B as it unleashed a big third-quarter breakaway to dispatch Ateneo, 66-46, in the Pinoyliga Next Man cUP on Sunday, January 22 at the Activate Hoop Arena in Mandaluyong City.

LPU mentor Harold Sta. Cruz said that crucial for them was their ability to bounce back from a tough loss as they moved to 2-1.

Sta. Cruz said they played their game to “near-perfection” as he stressed the importance of execution.

“We keep on reminding them na don’t be complacent. Kahit na malaki ang lamang natin, we still play our game,” said Sta, Cruz, a former Letran Knight.

“Hanggang di pa tumutunog ang buzzer, hindi pa tapos ang laban.”

With no player in double figures for both teams, it was a matter of who had more players to score, and it was the Intramuros-based cagers that had a more balanced roster.

Genesis Aviles, Carl Alattica, and Raphael Garro led LPU with nine points each.

Both teams were in the thick of things with the Pirates leading by just six at halftime, but the third period was all Lyceum needed as it used a series of runs, none bigger than a 16-2 finishing kick to put the game out of reach as it led by 23.

Eventually, the Pirates had their biggest lead at 27 on a Gyle Montaño basket early in the fourth.

Ateneo dropped to 0-3.

The scores: 

LYCEUM 66 – Aviles 9, Alattica 9, Garro 9, Montaño 8, Daileg 6, Omandac 6, Dela Cruz 5, Caduyac 5, Garing 4, Versoza 3, Panganiban 2, Moralejo 0, Bayquin 0, Renon 0

ATENEO 46 – Danting 7, Pastor 7, Lechoncito 6, Flores 6, Luna 5, Tanjangco 4, Macasaet 4, Ladimo 3, Requioma 2, Diaz 2, Inductivo 0, Wongchuking 0, Corral 0

Quarter scores: 13-10, 30-24, 59-36, 66-46.