By Kevin Estrada
Jonathan Daileg sparks fourth quarter comeback, lifting Lyceum past Mapua, 96-81, in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday at FilOil-EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The rookie guard out of Nueva Ecija had his breakout game, stepping up when it mattered, as he powered the Pirates to a massive late storm to take down the Cardinals in the Battle of Intramuros.
Daileg poured on nine of his season-best 14 points in the payoff period, in which LPU outscored Mapua 31-15, to win their third straight game.
“It feels good,” said Lyceum coach Gilbert Malabanan about their monumental triumph. “I’m very happy that the players did well.”
John Barba had his usual production for the Pirates with his game-high of 25 points, but he also helped Daileg in the final canto where he pitched in eight markers in the final minute to seal the victory, with LPU finishing the game on a 15-3 run.
Mapua was led by Jeco Bancale with 14 points.
Cardinals fall to the 3-2 record on a four-way tie at third place alongside defending champions San Beda, Lyceum and Letran.
The scores:
LYCEUM 96 – Barba 25, Guadaña 16, Cunanan 15, Daileg 14, Villegas 8, Caduyac 6, Peñafiel 5, Montaño 5, Aviles 2, Panelo 0
MAPUA 81 – Bancale 14, Escamis 13, Hubilla 13, Cuenco 11, Mangubat 10, Igliane 6, Concepcion 5, Recto 4, Ryan 3, Jabonete 2, Agemenyi 0
Quarter scores: 22-25, 39-45, 65-66, 96-81
Images courtesy of NCAA Media Bureau
Follow the writer on X: @kevinlestrada
