Lyceum of the Philippines University relied on its bench to overturn a double-digit deficit, stunning University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 64-62, and snapping its two-game losing streak in the NCAA Season 100 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Facing a 13-point deficit early in the game and with the starters struggling, Pirates head coach Gilbert Malabanan turned to his second unit for a much-needed spark.
Renz Villegas and company answered the call.
“I give credit to my second team, sila talaga bumuhay sa amin,” said Malabanan.
Villegas led the charge, scoring 18 points and tallying a season-high seven steals.
“Team effort at binibigay lang namin yung best namin kapag binibigyan kami ng opportunity ni coach. Kailangan din namin mag-bounce back at manalo,” Villegas shared.
Jonathan Daileg contributed 10 points, while Josh Moralejo chipped in eight.
“Lahat kami kailangan mag-step up kasi off night yung starters namin. Tinake lang namin yung opportunity,” added Moralejo.
Lyceum trailed 60-55 with less than two minutes remaining before making a decisive final push. A coast-to-coast layup by Villegas, followed by a Daileg three-pointer, brought the Pirates within two points with 42 seconds left.
With just nine seconds remaining, Moralejo knocked down a clutch triple to give Lyceum the lead.
A missed shot by Cedrick Abis on the other end sealed the game, as both the Pirates and the Altas are now tied for fifth place with 4-4 records.
John Barba, the league’s leading scorer, was held to just eight points on 3-of-9 shooting.
Mark Gojo Cruz led the Altas with 14 points, while Shawn Orgo added 13 points and seven rebounds.
Abis finished with 10 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
The Scores:
Lyceum 64 – Villegas 18, Daileg 10, Barba 8, Moralejo 8, Panelo 6, Aviles 5, Gordon 3, Peñafiel 2, Cunanan 2, Montaño 2, Pallingayan 0, Caduyac 0, Culanay 0.
Perpetual Help 62 – Gojo Cruz 14, Orgo 13, Abis 10, Pizarro 8, Pagaran 4, Manuel 3, Boral 2, Nuñez 2, Montemayor 2, Gelsano 2, Sevilla 2.
Quarterscores: 13-19, 27-32, 43-48, 64-62.
