The Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates’ veterans are back in shape and their outside shooting worked wonders for them on Sunday in the 99th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the Fil-EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Five out of a total of 12 triples found their mark in the last period as the Pirates went on to outplay the dethroned champion Letran Knights, 85-79.
Enoch Valdez and Mclaude Guadana showed that they are back in good health, as they led a rally from 12 points down to help the Pirates post their fourth straight victory to up their win-loss record to 10-3 at the top in a tie with the Mapua Cardinals.
Valdez and Guadana had 18 points for the Pirates.
“Kahapon, sina Gyle Montano ang mga bida, pero ngayon, sina Mclaude, si Enoch, si Bravo. Kaya talagang maganda ang balanse. Maganda na pagpasok mo sa laro, handa na. Minsan, medyo mabagal sila sa simula, pero kapag uminit, okay na sila,” said Pirates’ coach Gilbert Malabanan.
The Cardinals, behind Warren Bonifacio with 15 points, repulsed the San Sebastian Stags, 70-63, to remain in contention for the no. 1 seeding in the Final Four semifinals.
Marc Cuenco made 12 points, while Jopet Soriano shot 11 points for the Cardinals, who will have a chance to move ahead of the Pirates again with their Tuesday encounter with the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals.
With the Pirates behind, 56-68, at the end of the third period, Guadana strung two treys in the last 7:27, during a 20-4 rally, putting Lyceum in front, 76-72, in the last 3:38.
John Bravo added 17 points, with his three triples in the 26 seconds sending the Pirates to an 85-86 edge.
Deo Cuajao finished with 24 points built on six triples for the Knights, who wield a 1-12 slate.
Earlier, the San Beda University got a big assist from bench players Jacob Cortez and James Payosing to get past the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 81-71, and arrested a two-game slide in the NCAA Season 99 on Sunday.
Cortez shot 15 points, while Payosing had 14 points for the Red Lions, who improved to 8-4, and share third spot with the College of St. Benilde Blazers, who EAC dropped behind at 7-6.
“Lahat ng games ngayon crucial, kaya this is a good win for us. We, coming into the game as a team, we just said we’re gonna take it one game at a time for the next seven games. Lahat ng hard work at sacrifice we have to give it our all,” said Red Lions’ coach Yuri Escueta.
