The Lyceum Pirates and the San Beda Red Lions are back in the finals for the second straight season.
The Pirates took advantage of the absence of one of Letran’s main men at the start of the second half to launch a big assault that propelled them to a 109-85 win yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.
With Letran’s JP Calvo out most of the second half after injuring his ankle, Lyceum coasted to its second consecutive finals’ appearance in the 94th National Collegiate Association men’s basketball tournament.
Led by Mike Nzeusseu with 23 points and 17 rebounds, the Pirates went on to post the biggest winning margin this season at 24.
It was also the second biggest winning margin in the league’s Final Four history and after Letran won over the San Sebastian Stags by 33 points, 93-60, back in 2005.
“We just tried to make sure that we are prepared for whatever Letran gives us. We know that they’re really a great team. They’re a well-coached team. We have to find a way to make sure that we get them out of their comfort zone,” said Pirates’ coach Topex Robinson.
Meanwhile, the defending champion Red Lions, with Robert Bolick leading three other teammates in double figures, turned back the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 83-72, to forge another finals’ showdown with the Pirates.
Bolick banged in 23 points for the Red Lions, who are set to meet the Pirates in a best-of-three affair starting Nov. 6 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Javee Mocon shot 14, while Donald Tankoua and Ac Soberano added 13 and 12, respectively for the Red Lions.
In the junior division, the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers drew big plays from Marwin Dioniso in the endgame as they upset the defending champion La Salle Greenhills Greenies, 81-78, to remain in contention for a Final Four berth.
“Sobrang tuwa ko sa mga bata. Hindi pa namin tinatalo ang LSGH. What a time para matalo namin sila,” said JRU coach Vic Lazaro.
The San Beda Red Cubs, behind Jade Talampas with 17 points, also remained in contention after they whipped the Mapua Red Robins, 84-71.
Talampas made 10 points in the first period as he and teammate Zach Estacio quickly put the Red Cubs ahead, 26-15, at the endo the first period.
“Talampas had a great game in first period, and it resulted in good start for us,” said San Beda coach JB Sison.
The Pirates, with CJ Perez firing 19 points and the duo of Jaycee Marcelino and Spencer Pretta contributing 15 each, enjoyed a 51-47 lead at the start of the third period.
But the Knights lost Calvo to an injured right ankle after Nzeusseu fell on top of him during a loose ball scramble in the beginning of the second half.
The game stayed close for a while and the Knights managed to get the lead for the last time at 56-55, off Coy Galvelo’s triple.
But the absence of an experienced point guard took its toll on the Knights’ rotation and there was no stopping Lyceum from taking charge following two triples from Marcelino and MJ Ayaay.
Their treys touched off a 15-0 run which allowed the Pirates to take control of the game after they took a 70-56 edge in the last 3:51 of the third.
Nzeusseu and Marcelino combined for 17 points in leading the Pirates to an 81-64 spread at the end of the third.