LYCEUM of the Philippines University leaned on John Barba’s red-hot shooting and held its ground against Allen Liwag and College of St. Benilde as it eked out a pulsating 82-81 victory on Friday to claim the last Final Four slot in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
Barba was perfect from the field as he made all his nine shots there, including five triples and finished with 27 points.
His only misses were twice from the free throw line where he went four of six.
“Nag extra kami kagabi, halos 10 p.m. na kami natapos,” said Barba.
The Pirates also survived a monster 20-point, 16-rebound effort from the towering, bull-strong Liwag to snare their 10th win in 18 outings and the last ticket to the semis where they will clash either with the Blazers (14-4) or the Mapua Cardinals (14-3).
If Mapua wins over Arellano University at the Cuneta Astrodome on Saturday, it will seal the top seeding and a duel with LPU where it will brandish the precious Final Four incentive.
The other Final Four duel would pit CSB with No. 3 San Beda.
“Pina-practice naman niya (Barba) ‘yun,” said LPU coach Gilbert Malabanan. “Game plan is, if ma-limit si Liwag, malaki chance namin manalo.”
JM Bravo also came through when needed, chipping in 12 points while Renz Villegas, Mclaude Guadana and Jonathan Daileg scattered 11 points apiece.
CSB had all the chances in the dying seconds to either knot the count and force overtime or snatch victory but squandered each and every one of its opportunities.
Liwag turned from hero to goat after he missed the bonus charity that would have tied the count and the short stab that would have given CSB the win had he nailed it.
Meanwhile, Emilio Aguinaldo College consoled itself with a 73-66 win over Jose Rizal University Friday to finish with a 9-9 record and fifth place.
King Gurtiza and Harvey Pagsanjan paced the Generals with 18 and 17 points, respectively, in their final NCAA game.
Also graduating were Axel Doromal, JC Luciano and Erland Umpad.
EAC was already eliminated even before the game had started after Lyceum of the Philippines U stunned College of St. Benilde, 82-81, in the game earlier.
“The boys were already crying before the game,” said EAC mentor Jerson Cabiltes.
The Bombers ended with a 4-14 mark.
Games Saturday
(Cuneta Astrodome)
11 a.m.- AU vs Mapua
2:30 p.m.- SSC-R vs San Beda
