By: Brenn Allen Flores
Lyceum of the Philippines University is one step closer to the NCAA Season 100 Seniors Basketball Final Four after dismantling Emilio Aguinaldo College, 74-65, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Tuesday.
The Intramuros-based squad broke an 8-8 tie with the Generals and improved to a 9-8 record, to close in on the last Final Four spot.
Meanwhile, EAC dropped to fifth place with an 8-9 win-loss record, tying with Colegio San Juan de Letran, which shares the same record.
“I always reminded them that this game was very important to us. Kung important din sa EAC, mas importante din sa amin ‘to kasi our goal is going to the Final Four, and kung gusto namin pumasok sa Final Four, we have to win this game,” said Pirates head coach Gilbert Malabanan after the game.
The Pirates’ defense proved crucial in their victory, holding EAC to a dismal 2-for-31 shooting from beyond the arc.
After building a 20-16 lead in the first quarter, Lyceum continued their hot shooting in the second frame, extending the lead to 28-22 in the final minute.
EAC eventually trimmed the lead to three, 30-27, after Prince Umpad and Genesis Aviles traded buckets before the halftime buzzer.
Despite the Generals’ long-range struggles, they managed to gain a slight advantage, 45-43, after the third frame.
Trailing 54-51 midway through the payoff period, Lyceum unleashed a 14-3 run, capped by a Jonathan Daileg triple, to pull away, 65-57, with two minutes remaining.
Gil Quinal then sank EAC’s first trey of the game after 26 attempts to cut the lead to five, 65-60.
However, a returning John Bravo grabbed an offensive rebound, allowing Renz Villegas to extend the lead to 67-60, effectively erasing all hopes of an EAC comeback.
“Sa lahat ng games namin this season, ito pinaka special sakin. Hindi dahil sa nanalo kami, pero kumpleto kami naglaro ngayon. First time namin nakumpleto na naglaro na lahat ng players ko are healthy,” Malabanan added.
Renz Villegas led the Pirates with 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Daileg and Maclaude Guadana chipped in with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
John Bravo made a timely return for Lyceum after collapsing on the court due to a head collision during their game against Arellano University on Oct. 19.
He tallied two points and grabbed seven rebounds, including a crucial offensive board late in the fourth quarter that helped extend the Pirates’ lead to 67-60.
Meanwhile, Harvey Pagsanjan paced EAC with 16 points and seven rebounds, while King Gurtiza added 14 points, six boards, and four assists.
Both teams continue their Final Four hunt on Friday, Nov. 15. Lyceum will look to secure the last spot against the College of Saint-Benilde at 12 noon, while the Generals will aim to keep their hopes alive against Jose Rizal University at 2:30 p.m.
The Scores:
Lyceum 74 – Villegas 12, Daileg 11, Guadaña 10, Barba 9, Versoza 9, Cunanan 8, Peñafiel 5, Aviles 4, Montaño 2, Bravo 2, Moralejo 2, Panelo 0, Paulo 0, Pallingayan 0, Gordon 0
Emilio Aguinaldo 65 – Pagsanjan 16, Gurtiza 14, Lucero 8, Bagay 7, Quinal 5, Loristo 5, Oftana 4, Luciano 4, Umpad 2, Ochavo 0, Jacob 0, Doromal 0, Bacud 0
Quarterscores: 20-16, 30-27, 43-45, 74-65
