Lyceum of the Philippines University notched its fourth consecutive win after dominating Jose Rizal University, 79-62, in the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball Tournament, Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Pirates raised their record to 12-5, virtually tying the idle College of Saint Benilde for the second.
The Heavy Bombers, meanwhile, lost their fourth consecutive game and dropped to 6-10, in seventh.
Leading by 12, 57-45, at the start of the payoff period, the Pirates led a 10-2 run capped by an Enoch Valdez split free throw. That got them a 20-point cushion, 67-47, with 8:57 left.
From there, Lyceum never looked back. It earned its biggest lead, 74-49, when King Vinoya made a basket off a Vince Cunanan assist with 6:16 left in the game.
“Last game namin on Friday… I think it will be a do-or-die game for us. ‘Cause I know Benilde and us want to be on the better spot and everybody wants it badly. So kumbaga, sino na lang ‘yung talagang gusto manalo, ‘yung mananalo on Friday,” said Pirates head coach Gilbert Malabanan.
“Very important din sa amin ‘yung game na ‘yun. And I know, very important din sa kanila ‘yung game na ‘yun kasi ‘pag nandun ka sa spot na ‘yun… Medyo malaki ‘yung chances mo. So ‘yun ‘yung second goal namin sa team namin, and we will target it,” he added.
The Pirates feasted in the paint, scoring 40 points on 69.0-percent shooting.
Vinoya fouled out in the fourth frame after tapping the hands of Joshua Guiab inside the paint during a rebound with 4:12 remaining in the game.
Mark Joson of the Heavy Bombers also fouled out at the 8:30 mark of the payoff period when he tried to block Valdez.
Valdez finished with a game-high of 21 points, on 8-for-8 two-point shooting and an 88.9-percent shooting clip. He also added seven rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block.
Vinoya contributed 11 points, two rebounds, and two assists, while John Barba chimed in 10 points, two rebounds, and an assist. Omar Larupay topped the boards with 11 alongside five points and four blocks.
There were only two double-digit scorers who led the Heavy Bombers – Jason Tan and Ry Dela Rosa with 12 and 11 points, respectively. The former got four rebounds, and three assists, while the latter added two rebounds and four assists.
Next up for Lyceum is College of St. Benilde on Friday at 3:00 PM. JRU, on the other hand, will bounce back against San Beda University on Saturday also at the same time.
The Scores:
Lyceum 79 — Valdez 21, Vinoya 11, Barba 10, Umali 9, Guadana 9, Penafiel 6, Larupay 5, Garro 3, Aviles 3, Montano 2, Cunanan 0, Villegas 0, Bravo 0, Culanay 0, Omandac 0.
JRU 62 — Tan 12, Dela Rosa 11, Dionisio 8, Guiab 7, Medina 6, Mercado 5, Miranda 4, Abaoag 3, Arenal 2, De Jesus 2, Joson 2, Villarin 0.
Quarterscores: 22-14, 41-33, 57-45, 79-62.
