Jaycee Marcelino would be the last person to go down without a fight.
With the EAC Generals threatening an upset against the powerhouse Lyceum Pirates squad, last season’s Rookie of the Year took it upon himself to avert a meltdown, going to work in the fourth quarter as he racked 13 of his career-best 24 points in the Pirates’ 106-97 win over the Generals on Friday.
“Ayaw ko matalo eh kaya pinag-pursigihan kong magtrabaho sa court para maibalik namin ang lamang namin at manalo kami,” he said, while also collecting eight rebounds, five steals, and two rebounds in the conquest.
With those efforts, Marcelino has been cited as the first recipient of the Chooks-to-Go NCAA Player of the Week this NCAA Season 94.
Not only did the 20-year-old guard average 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.5 steals in the opening week, but he was also key in leading Lyceum to an unbeaten 2-0 record to gain early leadership this season.
Marcelino was just as stupendous back in opening weekend, unloading 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals in the Pirates’ 85-80 win against San Sebastian on Saturday as he perfectly complimented the 20-20 game of Cameroonian center Mike Nzeusseu.
He bested fellow Pirate CJ Perez, Perpetual’s Edgar Charcos, Mapua’s Laurenz Victoria, San Beda’s Robert Bolick, and San Sebastian’s Michael Calisaan for the weekly plum awarded by scribes from print and online publications covering the beat.
But despite his promising start, Marcelino knows better than to be satisfied, as he expects another tough season ahead for Lyceum.
“Yung mga ganitong laro, challenge ito sa amin para alam na namin ang dapat naming gawin ‘pag ganito ulit ang nangyari.”
