Jaycee Marcelino doesn’t want to to go down without a fight.
With Emilio Aguinaldo College threatening for an upset win against the powerhouse Lyceum squad, last season’s Rookie of the Year took it upon himself to avert a meltdown, going down to work in the fourth quarter as he racked 13 of his career-best 24 points in the Pirates’ 106-97 win over the Generals on Friday.
“Ayaw ko matalo, kaya pinag-pursigihan kong magtrabaho sa court para maibalik namin ang lamang namin at manalo kami,” he said, while also collecting eight rebounds, five steals, and two rebounds in the conquest.
With those efforts, Marcelino has been cited as the first recipient of the Chooks-to-Go NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week this NCAA Season 94.
Not only did the 20-year-old guard average 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.5 steals in the opening week, he was also a key in leading Lyceum to an unbeaten 2-0 record for the leadership this season.
Marcelino was as effective on opening weekend, unloading 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals in the Pirates’ 85-80 win against San Sebastian on Saturday as he perfectly complemented the 20-20 game of Cameroonian center Mike Nzeusseu.
He bested fellow Pirate CJ Perez, Perpetual’s Edgar Charcos, Mapua’s Laurenz Victoria, San Beda’s Robert Bolick, and San Sebastian’s Michael Calisaan for the weekly plum awarded by scribes from print and online publications covering the beat.
But despite the promising start , Marcelino isn’t satisfied as he expects another tough season ahead for Lyceum.
“‘Yung mga ganitong laro, challenge ito sa amin para alam na namin ang dapat naming gawin ‘pag ganito ulit ang nangyari,” he said.