THE BRAND-NEW season of the NCAA has brought new life to new member Lyceum Pirates as they started their campaign off with a bang, dropping the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 75-63, in the games yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.
In the second game, the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals eked past their bitter rivals the Arellano Chiefs, 81-73.
The Pirates are probationary members in the NCAA after dominating the Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association (ISAA) for the past two years.
Chris Cayabyab shot 20 points, including 4-of-7 from the three-point area, while transferee Allan Santos collected 19 points and 17 rebounds for the Pirates.
The Pirates also drew big contributions from Floricel Guevarra, who had 13 points and seven boards, and Shane Ko, who had 10 points.
St. Benilde, which last made it to the “Final Four” in 2002, missed the services of last year’s top rookie Carlo Lastimosa due to illness. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio