LYCEUM of the Philippines University tries to stay clean as it guns for its seventh win against College of Saint Benilde in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 94 seniors basketball tournament today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Pirates beat the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 91-77, last Friday to remain unbeaten for the solo lead ahead of the San Beda Red Lions (4-0) and Letran Knights (3-1).
Game time is 2 p.m. with the runners-up last season aiming for another positive result against the Blazers, who lost three of their five games.
“We’d like to press the energy out of every team we face because we really want to focus on our defense more than outscoring our opponents,” said Lyceum Head Coach Topex Robinson, whose team leads the league in scoring with a 91 points average.
CJ Perez remains a beast with his averages of 20.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.5 steals for the Pirates.
The early success brings more pressure to the Pirates as teams look eager to hunt them down.
“We know that teams are going to play motivated. They’re going to bring their best basketball games against us,” Robinson said.
“That’s the price of being on top. We’d rather take the challenge than to be the laughingstock again of the NCAA,” he noted.
Lyceum swept the eliminations last season only to be halted by San Beda in the finals.
In the 4 p.m. game, Letran takes on Arellano University (2-2), while Mapua (2-3) collides with San Sebastian College (2-4) at 12 noon.
Bong Quinto and a much-improved frontcourt have been the key to the Knights resurgence as legitimate title conteders.
Quinto fired a team-best 17 points in his team’s recent triumph while big men Larry Muyang, Chris Fajarito and Jeo Ambohot have been dominating the point with a combined average of 26.5 points, 22.6 rebounds and two blocks.
“We will try to take advantage of our size each game because we know we are blessed in that department,” Letran Coach Jeff Napa said.