By: Miguel Caramoan
Renz Villegas and Ato Barba teamed up once again to deliver Lyceum of the Philippines University its first win of the season, edging Jose Rizal University, 78-76, in the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
After trailing 71-66 following a Shawn Argente three-pointer with 5:45 left in the fourth quarter, the Pirates went on an 11-0 run, capped by a Jonathan Daileg triple to take a 77-71 lead with 1:19 remaining.
The game tightened in the final seconds after an unsportsmanlike foul by Lyon Pallingayan led to two free throws and a three-pointer from Argente, cutting the deficit to 77-76 with just 2.3 seconds left.
However, Argente’s final heave missed after a free throw by Daileg, securing the Pirates’ victory.
Barba led LPU with 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists, including two crucial triples in the fourth quarter.
Villegas added 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists, with eight of his points coming in the final period.
With their first win, the Pirates pulled even with San Sebastian for fourth place in Group A, both holding a 1-5 record. LPU aims to secure back-to-back wins when they face the EAC Generals on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
For the Heavy Bombers, the loss marked their second consecutive defeat, dropping them to the bottom of Group B with a 3-4 record.
They will look to bounce back against struggling Mapua on Friday at the same venue.
The Scores:
Lyceum 78 – Barba 15, Villegas 14, Daileg 11, Versoza 10, Moralejo 8, Montaño 8, Aviles 7, Paulo 5, Peñafiel 0, Gordon 0, Pallingayan 0, Casiño 0
Jose Rizal 76 – Argente 26, Garupil 17, Lozano 12, Laurenaria 6, Panapanaan 5, Salvador 5, Sarmiento 3, Peñaverde 2, Duque 0, Benitez 0, Herrera 0, Castillo 0, Esguerra 0, Catapang 0
Quarterscores: 13-18, 40-39, 53-59, 78-76
