LYCEUM PULLS OFF LATE RALLY, TAKES WIN OVER ARELLANO
By Maxine Louise Lagman
15 September 2017
Number one seed Lyceum Pirates did not back down from Arellano University and claimed a stunning win, 94-92 on Friday in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre.
Down by 13 points in the final frame, Lyceum did not give up and went on an incredible 20-5 run to regain the lead and seal their 12th straight win in the tournament.
“Credit goes to Coach Jerry Codinera and the rest of the team,” said Coach Topex Robinson. “It is a wake up call for us that we have to keep on playing until the final buzzer sounds.”
The Arellano Chiefs tried to retaliate and get closer into winning the game with 91-88, but the Pirates remain unstoppable and drilled their last shots to seal the win.
Kent Salado could have made it for the win, but he missed one of his free throw shots at the crucial 6.5 seconds to play.
MJ Ayaay powered Lyceum with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Mike Nzeusseu added 17 markers and 11 boards. Reymar Caduyac chipped in another 15 for the win.
CJ Perez, who always led the Pirates into a powerful end-game was fouled out with two minutes left, yet he still finished with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Salado finished with a game-high 24 points, five rebounds and seven assists, while Lervin Flores had a double-double record of 15 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks.
Arellano dropped to a 4-7 card and will have to battle it out for the Final Four spot even more.
