LYCEUM's backcourt duo finally clicked as the Pirates repulsed Mapua, 74-59, on Saturday in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
A non-factor in the past two games, Dexter Zamora finally shone and provided partner Shane Ko with ample help as the Pirates moved above .500 with their second win three games.
After leading the Pirates in scoring during the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup pre-season tournament, Zamora averaged just six points in their first two games.
But the Bukidnon native, who turns 22 on July 28, finally lived up to expectations as he fired a game-high 22 points in 30 minutes.
“I came out flat the last two games kaya nag-extra work talaga ako,” said Zamora, who shot 9-of-15 from the field and added two rebounds and two assists, while providing Ko ample offensive help.
Ko added 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, five rebounds, and five assists for the Pirates, who also delivered defensively by putting the clamps on Kenneth Ighalo and Joseph Eriobu.
The athletic swingmen, who combined for 51 points against San Sebastian, wound up with just nine points total for the Cardinals, who dropped to a 1-2 win-loss card.
“Talagang we concentrated on their top two scorers,” Pirates coach Bonnie Tan said
The scores:
Lyceum (74) -- Zamora 22, Ko 15, Baltazar 10, Francisco 8, Mbomiko 8, Azores 7, Mendoza 2, Ambohot 2, Soliman 0, Lacastesantos 0, Taladua 0, Alanes 0, Lesmoras 0.
Mapua (59) -- Cantos 16, Braña 15, Saitanan 9, Eriobu 6, Magsigay 4, Isit 3, Estrella 3, Ighalo 3, Gabo 0.
Quarterscores: 14-10; 32-28; 50-47; 74-59.
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