Enoch Valdez powered Lyceum of the Philippines University to the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball Tournament’s Final Four while downing San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 73-65, Sunday at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.
Valdez notched a double-double with a career-high 30 points on 11-of-14 shooting from the charity stripe and 11 rebounds. He also had three steals and two assists in an all-around effort that propelled the Pirates to the next round for the first time since Season 95.
And the senior delivered in the clutch for the Pirates.
Down by five with 3:49 left in the payoff period, James Una shot two-of-two freebies to cut the deficit to three, 56-59.
But that would be the closest the Golden Stags could get.
Valdez answered back with an and-one getting the 62-56 cushion with 3:19 left in the contest.
Coming off a timeout, Valdez then carried the scoring cudgels by scoring six consecutive Lyceum points, extending their lead to eight, 60-68, with 1:36 left in the game.
Rommel Calahat shot a three-pointer to cut the lead to five, 68-63, with 1:23 left in the game. John Bravo though converted a jumper on the other end for the dagger.
“Ayoko kasi maging over confident ‘yung players ko eh, and I don’t want them to look at the standings, ayoko sila titingin sa standings. Kung ilan ‘yung remaining games natin, we’ll gonna play our way, not their way. So para pag dating namin sa playoffs madala’t madadala namin ‘yun,” said Lyceum head coach Gilbert Malabanan.
“Ayaw kasi namin madala [‘yung] pag nag overconfident kami madadala namin sa next phase no? And ayokong ayoko maisip nila na okay lang matalo – No, no. Sabi ko lahat ng game natin we’re gonna respect it; we’re gonna honor it by winning the game,” he added.
Renzo Navarro was slapped with a disqualification forcing him out of the game due to taunting the bench of San Sebastian with 4:46 left in the game.
JM Bravo posted 10 points built on 4-of-7 shooting from the floor, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Navarro finished with seven points, five boards, six assists, and three steals with 22-minutes of playing time.
Meanwhile, Calahat paced the Golden Stags as he flirted a double-double of 19 points on 7-of-10 attempts, with nine rebounds, two assists, and a block. Altamirano, on the other hand, produced 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
The most San Sebastian (6-8) can get is a playoff for fourth. It can no longer afford to lose a single game.
Next up for Lyceum will be Jose Rizal University on Wednesday at 12 NN. Meanwhile, San Sebastian will try to shock College of St. Benilde on Tuesday also at the same time.
The Scores:
Lyceum 73 — Valdez 30, Bravo 10, Navarro 7, Barba 6, Umali 5, Guadana 4, Montano 4, Cunanan 3, Larupay 2, Villegas 2, Penafiel 0, Aviles 0, Omandac 0.
San Sebastian 65 — Calahat 19, Altamirano 11, Yambing 8, Una 7, Villapando 6, Desoyo 6, Are 4, Suico 3, Sumoda 1, Escobido 0, Shanoda 0, Cosari 0.
Quarterscores: 18-8, 36-23, 49-49, 73-65
