An in-form Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates showed up Friday afternoon when they went up against the EAC Generals.
Coming off an opening day 85-80 win over the San Sebastian Stags, the Pirates ran roughshod on the Generals. In the opening frame alone, last season’s runners-up EAC was limited to just 13 points and was forced to commit 14 errors. Lyceum was able to gain a lead that went to as high as 31 points, 72-41, midway through the third canto.
The Pirates though let their guards down.
“We kind of relaxed in the third,” lamented fourth-year Lyceum head coach Topex Robinson.
“If we will not honor the game that could happen to us, it’s always been a great teacher to us. If you’re gonna start to think that EAC will give the win to us, that’s a recipe for disaster.”
The Generals took advantage of this with a 36-8 run to close out the quarter and cut the lead down to just three.
But Robinson stayed composed and let the Pirates figure things out.
“Again as a coach, sometimes you have to bite your lip and trust the players,” he shared.
Robinson’s silence was heard by Jaycee Marcelino and the Pirates.
Last season’s Rookie of the Year scored 13 of his career-high 24 points in the final stanza to power Lyceum’s 106-97 escape act.
Marcelino heard Robinson loud and clear.
“Big learning sa amin yun kasi 30 lamang namin naging tatlo,” said the native of Olangapo City, who tallied eight rebounds, five steals, and two assists as well.
“Ayun, kaya sa susunod siguro pag nangyari samin yun di na mangyayari samin yung pag lalamang kaming malaki.”
