By KRISTEL SATSATUMBAGA
LYCEUM forced Emilio Aguinaldo College to a season-worst 38 turnovers en route to a 95-75 victory yesterday in the NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Pirates made 38 points from those turnovers to extend their winning streak to 12.
Reigning Most Valuable Player CJ Perez scattered 10 points in the second quarter to finish with 19 points and five rebounds for the Pirates while burly center Mike Nzeusseu added 18 points, seven boards and two blocks.
Twins Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino combined for 25 points, eight boards and five assists while Ralph Tansingco also contributed with 11 points.
Jerome Garcia exploded with 30 points for EAC which suffered its ninth defeat in 11 games.
In the other game, Laurenz Victoria drained a turnaround fallaway shot with 1.2 seconds left as Mapua edged Jose Rizal University, 81-79, for its third win against eight defeats.
Victoria finished with 17 points while Warren Bonifacio added 10 points as the Cardinals dealt the Heavy Bombers their 10th loss in 12 outings.
In junior play, Jose Rizal University rallied from an eight-point deficit with less than two minutes remaining to stun Mapua, 74-73.
An accidental tip-in by Mapua’s Grant Dennison on his team’s own basket allowed the Light Bombers to take the lead in the dying seconds and complete their comeback from a 72-64 deficit.
JRU improved to 7-5 behind 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists from John delos Santos while John Amores, who was credited with the winning basket, added 13 points and 19 rebounds.
The Red Robins fell to 8-3 after a turnover by Roseler Sarias and a missed triple by Dan Arches in their final two possessions.
In the other game, Lyceum bested Emilio Aguinaldo College, 72-66.
John Barba had 19 points, five rebounds and three assists while Marj De Leon added 14 points and eight boards and the Junior Pirates hiked their tally to 5-7.
McLaude Guadana and Kevin Nocal also combined for 17 points for Lyceum.
EAC remained at the bottom after absorbing its ninth loss against two wins despite Ely Ilustrimo scoring 12 points and Justin Pascual posting 10 points and nine boards.
