After falling in two close games, the Lyceum of the Philippines University were finally able to close one out, upsetting the defending the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, 75-72, to end the first round on a high note Friday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Hulking Cameroonian student-athlete Mike Nzeusseu once again notched a double-double with 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting and 15 rebounds while also swatting away two attempts.
But it was the local support that was the difference in the game as Reymar Caduyac and MJ Ayaay made the big baskets in the clutch.
“It’s reality that were still 4-5 and we still have long ways to go,” Lyceum head coach Topex Robinson said after dropping games to Perpetual and Arellano with an average differential of just five markers.
The Lyceum lead grew to as high as 13 points in the third frame behind the unstoppable Nzeusseu. The Cameroonian powered his way inside to score 10 points in the quarter to help give the Pirates the lead.
After scoring “just” eight points in the first three quarters, Rey Nambatac led the Letran surge early in the final frame. Jerrick Balanza also added firepower that gave life to the Letran offense as the Knights were able to cut the lead to just five, 62-67, with three minutes left in the ball game.
A basket by Apreku with two minutes left cut the lead to just four but baskets by Caduyac and Nzeusseu extended the lead to eight once again. The Cagayan de Oro-native though took matters to his own hands, going on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to just a one possession game, 69-72, with 28 ticks remaining.
Caduyac, the goat from Lyceum’s loss to the Arellano Chiefs, was fouled after wards to stop the clock at 23 seconds. Caduyac split his charities. In the next possession, JP Calvo was able to find Nambatac for a wide-open three to slice the lead to just a solitary point. Again Caduyac was could in the next possession.
“Tumatakbo sa utak ko yung pinag-pratisan naman sa practice mas lalo na sa free throws,” the 19 year old rookie shared.
Caduyac was able to drain both free throws to extend the Lyceum lead to three, 75-72. With no timeouts remaining, the Knights paced the length of the court. However, Nambatac was defended well, deferring to McJour Luib for the potential game-tying three. The shot though fell short as time expired.
“We want to work on the legs, from the first quarter up to the dying seconds,” Robinson said about the team’s defense on Nambatac. “We have so much respect for him and the team coach Jeff Napa has.”
Nambatac finished the game with 22 points but was just 7-for-19 from the field. Jerrick Balanza added 13 markers.
Reymar Caduyac bounced back from his last game, scoring 17 points, shooting 6-for-11 from the foul stripe. MJ Ayaay added 12 points, seven in the final frame.
Lyceum will ends its first round campaign on the outside but looking in with a 4-5 slate. Letran (5-3) will finish its first round campaign on Tuesday, August 9 at 4:00pm.
The Scores:
LPU (75) – Nzeusseu 17, Caduyac 17, Ayaay 12, Baltazar 10, Alanes 6, Magbuhos 5, Gabayni 4, Soliman 2, Marata 2, Alban 0, Serafico 0
CSJL (72) – Nambatac 22, Balanza 14, Luib 11, Sollano 7, Apreku 6, Calvo 5, Quinto 5, Ambohot 2, Bernabe 0, Dela Pena 0, Balagasay 0
Quarterscores: 20-14, 39-34, 55-47, 75-72.
