LYCEUM of the Philippines University survived a tough challenge from Jose Rizal University, emerging victorious with an 82-80 win on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
The Pirates’ victory kept their Final Four hopes alive in NCAA Season 100.
John Barba and Renz Villegas once again led the way for Lyceum, scoring 20 and 18 points, respectively.
With this win, the Pirates improved their record to 8-8 and remain in the hunt for a coveted Final Four spot.
To qualify, LPU would need to find ways to hurdle its last two foes in Emilio Aguinaldo College Tuesday and College of St. Benilde next week.
“One game at a time lang muna kami pero kailangan namin manalo every game,” said LPU coach Gilbert Malabanan.
It was another pair of strong efforts for Villegas and Barba after the two erupted for 25 and 20 points, respectively, in LPU’s 93-85 win over San Sebastian last Tuesday.
“Nagdagdag pa kami effort para mas malaki chance pumasok sa Final Four,” said Villegas.
But the Pirates almost blew it as they saw their 11-point lead, their biggest in the game, disappear when the Bombers, a team with nothing to lose but everything to gain after being eliminated from the Final Four race, unleashed a furious fight back that saw them inch closer late.
In fact, JRU nearly snatched victory from defeat after getting one last shot at it, but Shawn Argente missed a desperation three-pointer from way deep as time expired.
The Bombers, who were led by skipper Joshua Guiab’s mammoth 27-point effort, dropped to the bottom with a 4-12 record.
Meanwhile, Allen Liwag flexed his MVP muscles as College of St. Benilde downed Letran, 83-78, Friday to inch closer to a twice-to-beat incentive.
Liwag pounded his way to 20 points, eight boards and two blocks as the Blazers improved to a league-best 13-2 record, or one win closer to the semis bonus.
It also underscored Liwag as the leading candidate to win the most coveted individual plum in the league—MVP.
“Hindi ko muna iniisip ‘yun, focus namin ay manalo ng championship,” he said.
The Knights, who were minus best big man Kevin Santos, couldn’t sustain a strong start and dropped from a share of fourth to sixth with a 7-9 slate.
Games Saturday
(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
11 a.m.- SSC-R vs UPHSD
2:30 p.m.- AU vs EAC
