LYCEUM of the Philippines University sent defending champion Letran to a second straight defeat with a 70-69 win in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Filoil Ecooil Centre.

Shawn Umali had 15 points while Enoch Valdez chipped in 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals as the Pirates seized the top spot in the young season at 2-0.

LPU earlier stunned last season’s losing finalist College of Saint Benilde.

Earlier, Emilio Aguinaldo College marked Jerson Cabiltes’ debut with a victorious performance, stunning the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 75-67.

“It’s good to have a head start winning the first game. But as I’ve said, it’s a long way to go. Pero we’re just thankful lang to get the first win,” said Cabiltes, who took over from Oliver Bunyi.

JP Maguliano logged 24 points and nine rebounds while Ralph Robin and Nat Cosejo chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively, for the Generals.

The scores:

First game

EAC (75) – Maguliano 24, Robin 12, Cosejo 10, Ochavo 8, Gurtiza 5, Umpad 4, Dominguez 3, Cosa 3, Quinal 3, Bacud 2, Luciano 1, Balowa 0, Tolentino 0, Angeles 0 Ednilag 0.
Perpetual (67)- Ferreras 16, Nitura 11, Pagaran 8, Omega 7, Roque 6, Abis 6, Boral 5, Orgo 4, Cuevas 2, Gelsano 2, Barcuma 0, Nunez 0, Sevilla 0, Movida 0, Ramirez 0.
Quarterscores: 21-16; 43-30; 57-53; 75-67

Second game

LPU (70) – Umali 15, Valdez 10, Barba 9, Montaño 7, Peñafiel 7, Omandac 7, Villegas 5, Aviles 4, Bravo 4, Cunanan 2, Guadaña 0, Culanay 0, Moralejo 0, Versoza 0.
Letran (69) – Reyson 17, Monje 13, Javillonar 10, Santos 8, Go 7, Ariar 6, Cuajao 4, Galvez 3, Tolentino 1, Guarino 0, Batallier 0, Fajardo 0.
Quarterscores: 21-18; 36-35; 52-51; 70-69.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado