By: Bjorn Del B. Deade
Vincent Cunanan delivered a stunning performance in the clutch, propelling Lyceum of the Philippines University to a dramatic 64-62 victory over San Beda University in the NCAA Season 100 Seniors’ Basketball Tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Tuesday.
With less than 50 seconds remaining, Cunanan hit a long, buzzer-beating three-pointer to steal the lead for the Pirates, followed by another critical three-pointer just 8.6 seconds before the final buzzer, securing the win for the Pirates, who rose to 6-5 to the fourth-running Letran Knights.
San Beda had a chance to respond but failed to capitalize after Bryan Sajonia lost the ball during a fast break, sealing the Red Lions’ defeat.
“Patay na yung shot clock. E nakita ako ni (John) Barba and libre ako. Kahit nagmimintis ako sa una, e open ako, tinira ko na talaga. Ngayon pasok naman, sa awa ng diyos nakapasok,” said Cunanan, who finished with 11 points, all scored in the crucial moments of the game.
“Kilala naman yung team namin na hindi talaga naggigive up hanggang sa final buzzer. Kaya laban lang talaga kahit na lamang, laban pa rin kami. So binigay din namin yung best namin hanggang dulo.”
After the Pirates tied the match at 12-all with a bank shot from Montaño, San Beda went on an 11-0 run, fueled by Sajonia’s six points, to take a 23-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Despite San Beda’s eight-point advantage with five minutes left in the second quarter (28-20), Cunanan ignited a 6-0 run with a fast-break layup, narrowing the Red Lions’ lead to just two points at 26-28.
The Red Lions maintained their lead as Payosing finished strong with a drive, and Bismark Lina added a hook shot over Abiles, pushing the score to 32-28 until Cunanan’s three-point play kept the Pirates within striking distance at halftime, trailing 32-31.
The third quarter was a low-scoring affair, with San Beda’s largest lead being five points after a three-point play from Jhonel Puno made it 40-35.
However, the relentless Pirates managed to tie the game at 44-all by the end of the third, courtesy of Montaño’s timely three-pointer.
In the final period, San Beda sought to regain momentum through Estacio’s crucial baskets but could not stop Cunanan’s hot shooting.
“We cannot win this game kung hindi kami magiging aggressive,” Lyceum head coach Gilbert Malabanan. stated after the game.
Gyle Montaño led LPU with 12 points on 55.6-percent shooting, while John Bravo contributed nine points and seven rebounds.
The Pirates will next face Arellano University on Saturday, October 19, at 11 a.m.
On the other side, Bismark Lina paced San Beda with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Yukien Andrada added 11 points on a poor 28.6-percent shooting.
Puno also contributed 10 points and five rebounds.
The Red Lions dropped to a 7-4 record and will look to bounce back against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Friday, October 18, at 12 p.m.
The Scores
Lyceum 64 – Montaño 12, Cunanan 11, Bravo 9, Daileg 7, Villegas 6, Aviles 5, Barba 4, Peñafiel 4, Panelo 2, Versoza 2, Gordon 2, Moralejo 0, Pallingayan 0.
San Beda 62 – Lina 12, Andrada 11, Puno 10, Sajonia 8, Estacio 8, Payosing 6, Tagle 5, Songcuya 2, Gonzales 0, Celzo 0, RC Calimag 0, Royo 0.
Quarterscores: 12-20, 31-32, 44-44, 64-62.
