Lyceum of the Philippines University completed a come-from-behind win against Jose Rizal University, taking an 82-75 victory, to get into the winning column of the NCAA Season 97 seniors basketball tournament, Wednesday at La Salle Greenhills’ St. Benilde Gym in Mandaluyong City.
The Pirates had to work for this first win after going down huge at the start of the game and relinquishing the lead they worked hard for to the Heavy Bombers with 2:54 left in the game.
That’s when Renzo Navarro and Enoch Valdez connived.
Navarro found Valdez and Yancy Remulla for a 4-0 blast to take the lead for good with 2:11 remaining in the final period.
Valdez then found himself alone on the break and extended the lead, 78-73, with 1:43 left.
Chester Jungco cut the deficit to three, 75-78, but JRU could not add on as Jason Celis cooled off in the dying minutes.
First-year head coach Gilbert Malabanan lauded his wards for their effort in this maiden win saying, “I’m very happy sa pinakita ng mga players ko and I give credit to them because they are the ones working hard in practice and ‘yung hard work talaga nila sa game — aggressive talaga sila.
“At yun naman ang lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila, to be aggressive offensively and defensively,” he added.
Valdez steered Lyceum’s ship with a double-double performance of 21 points and 12 rebounds. He also added five steals in the contest, the last led to that insurance layup on the break.
Remulla also finished with a double-double of 10 markers and 11 boards. Meanwhile, rookie McLaude Gaudana started it all for the Pirates scoring most of 14 points in both the second-and third-quarter turnarounds, adding to his three assists.
The Pirates went up to 1-3, while the Bombers remained winless at 0-4.
Former Letran Knight Celis found his form for JRU with 24 points on 44 percent shooting to go with his four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. On the other hand, Marwin Dionisio took charge with 14 markers, 10 boards, and three assists.
Lyceum will look to follow this win up against San Sebastian College-Recoletos (1-2) on April 10 at 3 p.m. Meanwhile, JRU will take on Emilio Aguinaldo College (1-3) on April 9 at 3 p.m.
The Scores:
Lyceum 82 – Valdez 21, Guadana 14, Remulla 10, Larupay 9, Cunanan 6, Bravo 6, Barba 6, Guinto 4, Navarro 3, Garro 3, Umali 0.
JRU 75 – Celis 24, Delos Santos 14, Dionisio 14, Agbong 11, Macatangay 5, Gonzales G. 3, Jungco 2, Arenal 2, Aguilar 0, Guiab 0, Bongay 0.
Quarterscores: 12-24, 38-40, 61-61, 82-75.
