Lyceum of the Philippines University snapped its four-game losing streak in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament, eking out a 98-89 victory over the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
With the game tied at 75-all midway through the fourth quarter, Lyceum’s veterans stepped up to help the Pirates pull away from the Altas.
Renz Villegas split the defense with crucial free throws, before Mclaude Guadana scored five straight points to give Lyceum an 84-75 cushion.
LA Casinillo and JM Tulabut tried to stop Perpetual’s bleeding, but Matthew Rubico’s three-pointer with 2:37 remaining proved to be the dagger. Then Jonathan Daileg put the finishing touches on the victory, lifting Lyceum to a 2-5 record in Group A, where it remains fifth.
“Yung game, dikitan lang. Nung fourth quarter, lagi ko sila hina-huddle to say na stick to the system and trust the coaches, at kaya natin ‘to,” said Rubico, who finished with 21 points on seven-of-11 shooting, seven rebounds, and four assists.
Villegas and Daileg contributed 19 and 18 points, respectively, while also grabbing seven rebounds each.
Guadana added 14 points, while Roger Ondoa chipped in 11 for the Pirates.
“Nakuha namin yung game na ‘to hindi dahil sa’kin. It’s a collective effort. Nag-step up yung mga need mag-step up. Yung mga veterans din namin nagstep-up din. Yun yung tinrabaho namin,” the former Green Archer added.
Perpetual, meanwhile, suffered its fourth consecutive loss to fall to 2-5 in Group B, where it is tied with Emilio Aguinaldo College for third place.
Ray Allen Maglupay led the Altas with 19 points, while Gelo Gelsano and LA Casinillo added 18 and 17 points, respectively. Mark Gojo Cruz chipped in 13 points and six assists.
Perpetual and Lyceum will return to action on Friday, with the Altas taking on the Mapua Cardinals at 3:00 PM, followed by the Pirates facing the San Sebastian Golden Stags.
The Scores:
Lyceum 98 – Rubico 21, Villegas 19, Daileg 18, Guadana 14, Ondoa 11, Aurigue 7, Penafiel 4, Aviles 2, Manuel 1, Cardinas 1, Matienzo 0, Almario 0, Nocum 0, Gordon 0, Fuentes 0.
Perpetual Help 89 – Maglupay 19, Gelsano 18, Casinillo 17, Gojo Cruz 13, Orgo 7, Corpuz 6, Borja 4, Duremdes 3, Tulabut 2, Roluna 0, Cristino 0, Cauguiran 0.
Quarterscores: 21-23, 50-46, 70-64, 98-89.
