Lyceum of the Philippines University cruised to its third straight victory after stumping host Emilio Aguinaldo College, 74-67, in the NCAA Season 98 on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Lyceum, coming off huge victories against Season 97 Final Four teams Mapua University and San Beda University, improved to 3-1 while EAC remained winless with a 0-4 card.
Mclaude Guadaña and Alvin Peñafiel each scored 12 points to pace the Pirates. All of Guadaña's points came off of three-pointers as he shot 4-for-7 from beyond the arc, including two triples in the fourth period.
The hosts built a 25-18 lead at some point in the second period but a 7-0 run from the Pirates saw the score tied at 25-all. Nat Cosejo then continued with his improved shooting as he helped EAC hold a slim 35-34 halftime lead.
But Lyceum came up with a scoring surge in the third, which ended with the Pirates enjoying a 57-49 cushion all thanks to Ato Barba, who completed two three-point plays, and Peñafiel, whose huge triple closed out the frame.
Back-to-back three-pointers from Lyceum courtesy of Guadaña and Renzo Navarro had Lyceum's lead ballooned to 11, 69-58, with 4:28 left to play in the fourth.
EAC team captain JC Luciano was able to trim their deficit to just six after a split free throw, 73-67, but Lyceum hung on with Barba sealing the victory with a split of his own.
Navarro also reach double figures for LPU with 10 points while Barba chipped in with nine points, all of them in the second half. Enoch Valdez only scored four points but grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds in the win.
Allen Liwag led EAC with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Cosejo added 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field while Luciano also had a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards.
EAC will have a week-long break before facing San Sebastian College-Recoletos next Tuesday while Lyceum will also take on the Stags on Saturday.
The scores:
Lyceum 74 - Guadaña 12, Peñafiel 12, Navarro 10, Barba 9, Montaño 8, Bravo 6, Villagas 4, Valdez 4, Cunanan3, Omandac 2, Umali 2, Larupay 1, Aviles 0.
EAC 67 - Liwag 18, Cosejo 15, Luciano 11, Ad. Doria 8, Robin 4, Quinal 3, An. Doria 3, Cosa 2, Dominguez 2, Bajon 1, Balowa 0, Tolentino 0, Gurtiza 0.
Quarters: 12-12, 34-35, 57-49, 74-67.
—JMB, GMA News
