Enoch Valdez took charge anew as Lyceum exacted revenge over the embattled Jose Rizal University, 79-62, in the second round of the NCAA Season 98 men's basketball tournament Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Valdez followed up his 30-point career-high performance from the Pirates' 73-65 win last Nov. 13 and dropped 21 points, seven rebounds, and three assists to help his squad reach its third straight win and get an 12-5 record.
The 6-foot-2 swingman fired an 8-of-9 shooting from the field, almost making it perfect if not for a missed three-pointer while draining five free throws as well.
King Vinoya also added 11 points while John Barba had 10 points for Lyceum.
The Pirates maintained their pace from a 41-33 lead in the first half as Valdez, who already scored 14 points, and Shawn Umali, who had nine, connived to keep the Heavy Bombers at bay.
But a supporting cast in Vinoya, Barba, and even Omar Larupay provided the spark in the next 20 minutes as Lyceum slowly pulled away for good en route to a 57-45 advantage bridging the payoff period.
That lead would eventually expand to a comfortable 25-point cushion as Valdez continued to carry the cudgels for the Pirates, who stayed on track for twice-to-beat advantage should they make it past the No. 2 team College of St. Benilde Blazers.
Jason Tan paced the Bombers, who sustained a 6-10 record, with 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists while Ry Dela Rosa chalked up 11 points and four assists.
Meanwhile, John Amores, who caused a melee and hit four other CSB players last week, was removed from the men's basketball team as well as any of its varsity team.
This would be an upgrade of the university's own sanction to Amores apart from the indefinite suspension slapped by the league itself.
JRU is set to provide counseling for the troubled Amores, who likewise will undergo community service.
LPU 79 -- Valdez 21, Vinoya 11, Barba 10, Umali 9, Guadana 9, Penafiel 6, Larupay 5, Garro 3, Aviles 3, Montano 2, Cunanan 0, Villegas 0, Bravo 0, Culanay 0, Omandac 0.
JRU 62 -- Tan 12, Dela Rosa 11, Dionisio 8, Guiab 7, Medina 6, Mercado 5, Miranda 4, Abaoag 3, Arenal 2, De Jesus 2, Joson 2, Villarin 0.
Quarters: 22-14, 41-33, 57-45, 79-62.