John Barba and Mclaude Guadana took charge in the third quarter for the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates and their leadership carried them to a 76-67 stopping of the Mapua University Cardinals on Wednesday at the EcoOil Center in San Juan.
Barba, who has been playing for the school since he was in high school with Guadana, knocked in 16 points for the Pirates, who picked up their first win in two outings in the 98th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
Guadana unloaded 13 points for the Pirates, who bounced back from a 69-86 loss they suffered at the hands of the College of St. Benilde Blazers.
The Cardinals last threatened at 45-46, on Paolo Hernandez’s trey in the final 4:20.
But Barba’s assist to JM Bravo, followed by his layup allowed the Pirates to gain some distance at 50-46, before two three-pointers from Guadana with 1:17 to go saw LPU enjoying a 10-point edge, 56-46.
The Pirates’ aggressive plays midway in the third canto allowed them to move out of range at the end of the period, 59-49.
The 5’11” Guadana, who connected on nine of the team’s 31 three-point attempts, made five points in the last period, including one of three treys unloaded by the Pirates in the final canto, handing Lyceum a 14-point, 67-53 edge, with 6:27 to go.
“It’s a very big win for us. Mapua is a very strong team,” said new Lyceum coach Gilbert Malabanan, who commended the aggression of the team on both ends of the floor.
Earlier, veteran Fran Yu knocked in three of four free throws in the endgame to lift the defending champion Letran to a 101-97 overtime triumph over the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers.
Kurt Reyson, who topscored for 31 points, forced the extra period at 89-all with a three-pointer in the final five seconds of regulation.
The Heavy Bombers missed their winning chance when Jason Celis bungled a triple as time expired.
John Amores banged in 19 points for JRU, which took in their second straight loss.
“It’s about heart and suwerte. Kurt Reyson played a good game, ipinasok niya iyung tira sa three-points. Wala akong masabi sa bata. For me it’s time for me step up,” said Knights’ coach Bonnie Tan on how Letran fought it out in overtime.
The scores:
First Game
Letran (101)—Reyson 31, Caralipio 14, Paraiso 13, Yu 12, Sangalang 9, Monje 9, Santos 6, Olivario 3, Go 2, Miclat 2, Ariar 0, Guarino 0.
JRU (97)—Amores 19, Miranda 18, Celis 14, Dela Rosa 14, Guiab 10, Dionisio 7, Arenal 7, Medina 5, Sy 3, Delos Santos 0, Abaoag 0.
Quarterscores: 19-27, 49-41, 74-71, 89-89, 101-97