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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Lyceum Pirates reach Final Four

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THE Lyceum Pirates set a school milestone when they advanced to the Final Four of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for the first time after coming up with a strong finish to subdue the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 94-83, yesterday Sept. 21.

They achieved the feat after tallying their thirteenth consecutive victory in the 93rd NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Jaymar Perez shot a game-high 21 points for the Pirates who reached the Final Four for the first time since joining the league in 2015. 

The Pirates unleashed a 12-4 run in the last 4:21 behind Perez and big man Mike Nzeusseu.

They started moving away after the Altas threatened for the last time, 68-71, behind a drive from Flash Sadiwa in the remaining 8:24.

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The Pirates made a blistering run and after it was over, the Pirates enjoyed an insurmountable 83-71 edge off Nzeusseu’s charities.

So impressed was coach Topex Robinson by the Pirates’ huge lead he decided to give Perez and Nzeusseu a break. Both rested on bench as the rest of the team played out the remaining time.

The Altas, with Prince Eze hitting 26, managed to come back to within four, off Gab Dangangon’s trey and Keith Pido’s drive, 81-85.

But the return of Perez on the floor, his timely basket and assist to Jayvee Marcelino, allowed the Pirates to move away by 11 again, 92-81.

“It’s really something that we’re not accustomed to. But, it’s part of the journey,” said Pirates coach Topex Robinson.

The Altas fell behind with their 4-8 slate.

In high school action, Vincent Cunanan shot 20 points to lead the Lyceum Junior Pirates to a 74-72 win over the Perpetual Help Junior Altas.

Batang Gilas standout Mclaude Guarana scored winning baskets in the last 15.7 seconds, and this helped push the Junior Pirates to their sixth triumph in 13 outings.

His drive in the last 15.7 seconds, and split free throw with 5.2 ticks to go keyed the win for the Junior Pirates, who climbed to fourth with their 6-7 card.

The Lyceum win followed a hard-earned win over Arellano University.  LPU narrowly avoided its first loss, needing to rally from a 13-point deficit in the final four minutes to beat the Chiefs, 94-92, last Friday for a 12-0 record.

Aside from gaining their first semis appearance since joining the league six years ago, the Pirates also moved within a win of securing one of the two twice-to-beat playoff incentives.

In seventh spot, Perpetual Help is one-and-a-half games behind joint fourth placers Emilio Aguinaldo College and Letran in the chase for the last Final Four berth.

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