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NCAA: Banned Perez in Lyceum Pirates' minds in Game 1 of finals

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/11/08/20181108-lyceum.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Without CJ Perez, the Marcelino twins stepped up for Lyceum. Arvin Lim, <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/ncaa/basketball/photos">ABS-CBN Sports</a></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – CJ Perez may have been controversially suspended in Game 1 of the NCAA Season 94 men&#x27;s basketball finals, but he remained firmly in the mind of his teammates in the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates.Perez, the Most Valuable Player in Season 93, was shockingly banned from playing in the first game of the best-of-3 finals against San Beda University for failing to inform the league of his intent to apply to the PBA Rookie Draft.The move was widely criticized in basketball circles, with De La Salle-College of St. Benilde assistant coach Charles Tiu labelling the suspension &quot;a joke&quot; on social media. A last-ditch appeal by Lyceum did not prosper, and without their star player, the Pirates had little chance against the Red Lions. They absorbed a 73-60 loss in Game 1. The absence of Perez was certainly a massive blow to Lyceum, and not just because the Pirates missed his tremendous production. The athletic swingman had been averaging 18.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3.3 steals per game in his final season in the league.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/ncaa/news/2018/11/06/ncaa-bolick-tells-perez-bring-best-returns-49436">READ: Bolick tells Perez to bring his best when he returns</a></li></ul>&quot;Siyempre masakit sa amin na mawala si CJ. Siyempre &#x27;pag kasabay namin siya, siya &#x27;yung nagiging leader namin sa loob ng court pag nag-struggle kami,&quot; said guard Jaycee Marcelino.&quot;Inisip ko na lang kanina na sinub lang si CJ, na andyan pa rin siya naka-suporta sa amin,&quot; he added.The timing of Perez&#x27;s suspension rankled at the Pirates: as Marcelino said, they found out about his ban at the last minute, with just one day left before the start of their finals series against the Red Lions.Thus, it was no surprise that the Pirates struggled mightily in Game 1, particularly in the first half when the Red Lions roared to an early lead, and took a 43-22 advantage at the half.&quot;Struggle talaga kami lahat,&quot; admitted Marcelino, who finished the game with 13 points. &quot;Tapos, kinausap kami ni coach sa dugout, na ayun nga, inisip ko na lang na walang ng Game 2, wala ng bukas.&quot; The thought of Perez also further fired up the Pirates, he said.&quot;Si CJ din talaga, sinabihan niya ako na ibigay ko lahat. Para sa kanya itong laro na ito, kaya hindi ko inisip yung Game 2, inisip ko &#x27;yung laro ko na mabigay ko &#x27;yung best ko,&quot; said Marcelino.&quot;Kasi ayun nga, masakit kay CJ na ganoon nga ang nangyari. Last year niya tapos hindi pa siya nakapag-laro ng finals,&quot; he also said.The Pirates gave the Red Lions all they could handle in the second half, and managed to trim the deficit to just 10 points in the fourth quarter before they faded away down the stretch. Jaycee and twin brother Jayvee were crucial in the run, combining for 11 points in the payoff period while hounding the San Beda guards on defense.Even as they fell short, Marcelino remains defiant and stresses that they gave their very best regardless of the circumstances.&quot;Inisip ko talaga na lalaro talaga ako ng sa akin, &#x27;yung best ko talaga ibibigay ko lahat para matulungan ko yung team ko na ayun, makuha ang panalo,&quot; said the guard. &quot;Pero ayun nga, sa huli nabitin lang talaga,&quot; he lamented.Game 2 of the best-of-3 finals is on Monday, November 12, still at the Mall of Asia Arena.For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

CJ Perez was banned from playing in the first game of the best-of-3 finals against San Beda University for failing to inform the league of his intent to apply to the PBA Rookie Draft.

CJ Perez was banned from playing in the first game of the best-of-3 finals against San Beda University for failing to inform the league of his intent to apply to the PBA Rookie Draft.

NCAA: Banned Perez in Lyceum Pirates' minds in Game 1 of finals

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NCAA: Banned Perez in Lyceum Pirates' minds in Game 1 of finals

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 08, 2018 04:28 PM PHT

Read More:

NCAA

NCAA Season 94

Lyceum Pirates

CJ Perez

Jaycee Marcelino

San Beda Red Lions

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