Lyceum of the Philippines University got its third straight win in the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball Tournament after trouncing Emilio Aguinaldo College, 74-67, on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Down by 12, 73-61, with under two minutes remaining, JC Luciano and Allen Liwag sparked a 6-0 run for the Generals trying for a final push for a comeback.
Unfortunately, it was a little too late as Lyceum got its third win.
“Actually, ‘yun sinasabi ko sa team ko eh ‘I want my team and our team to be unpredictable’ when I say unpredictable, di mo talaga alam kung sino puputok eh. And, that’s the good thing for us na ‘yung first group and second group, and even the third group… Pag pinasok namin is always ready naman sila,” said Pirates head coach Gilbert Malabanan.
“And, ‘yun nga I’m happy to Alvin [Peñafiel] for stepping and ‘yun naman sinasabi ko sa kanila lagi na every ‘game is an opportunity.’ So kumbaga pag binigyan tayo ng opportunity; let’s grab it and make it worth it – so yun. Ganda naman ng response ng mga players ko,” he added.
Also in the fourth quarter, the Pirates got their biggest lead off the ball game by 14, 72-58 following back-to-back triples from Renzo Navarro and Mclaude Guadana with 2:30 left.
Lyceum was down seven, 18-25, at one point in the second quarter. But it was in the third period when things started to turn around for them as they began making shots.
Both Guadana and Alvin Pinafiel had 12 points for the Pirates. The former added three rebounds, two assists, and two steals; meanwhile, the latter went perfect from the field with 4-of-4 together with a board.
Liwag had a game-high with 18 markers and 12 boards, while Luciano also had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Also for the Generals, Nat Cosejo finished with 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting and seven rebounds.
The Pirates improved their record to 3-1 while the season host remained winless, now 0-4.
Lyceum will try to make it three in a row against San Sebastian College-Recoletos (2-1) on Saturday at 3:00 PM. EAC, on the other hand, will have a week break before facing the same opponent next Tuesday at 12:00 NN.
The Scores:
Lyceum 74 –– Guadana 12, Penafiel 12, Navarro 10, Barba 9, Montano 8, Bravo 6, Valdez 4, Villegas 4, Cunanan 3, Omandac 3, Umali 2, Larupay 1, Aviles 0.
EAC 67 — Liwag 18, Cosejo 15, Luciano 11, Ad. Doria 8, Robin 4, Quinal 3, An. Doria 3, Cosa 2, Dominguez 2, Bajon 1, Gurtiza 0, Tolentino 0, Balowa 0.
Quarterscores: 12-12, 34-35, 57-49, 74-67.
