With the NCAA Season 95 Seniors Basketball Tournament entering deep waters, Jaycee Marcelino needed to gut it out for Lyceum.
Days before their virtual battle for the second seed with Letran, the Pirates’ senior guard came down with flu and was unable to join practices.
Still, that was not an excuse for Marcelino to miss a game.
“It’s about living in the moment, no excuses. Like itong si Jaycee, he only returned yesterday after sitting out five days of practice,” said Lyceum head coach Topex Robinson. “He played his heart out today and that’s a testament to the dedication of this kid to this team.”
Despite lack of practice and almost losing his legs early, the 23-year-old two-way force made sure to lead the Pirates. He finished with 25 points spiked by five triples, as well as two rebounds, two steals, and an assist.
More importantly, Lyceum gained a one-and-a-half-game cushion over fellow title contenders Letran Knights in the standings with a 97-90 victory.
“Pinagalitan ako ni coach,” the native of Olangapo quipped. “Nakikita ko kasi sa mga kakampi ko sa bench na hindi sila sumusuko. Paano pa kaya ako na nasa court? Kaya nag-doble effort ako nung second half para sa kanila.”
With his inspirational performance, Marcelino was hailed as the Chooks-to-Go Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week.
Marcelino bested Mapua’s Laurenz Victoria, San Beda’s James Canlas, EAC’s Kriss Gurtiza, and Arellano’s Justin Arana for this citation given by print and online scribes covering the country’s oldest collegiate league.
