MARCELINO TWINS LEAD PIRATES PAST GENERALS FOR 14TH STRAIGHT WIN
By Maxine Louise Lagman
26 September 2017
The Marcelino twins sparked an end-game rally to power the unbeatable Lyceum of the Philippines University and defeat the Emilio Aguinaldo College, 86-74 on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Lyceum remained to be a powerful team to face as they pulled away from EAC early in the game and even led by as much as 20 points. However, EAC rallied in the third frame with a 13-4 run to cut the deficit to just six, 78-72.
But Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino showed their grit and combined for Lyceum’s last 10 points in the final five minutes of the game and limit the Generals to only two points.
The Generals also lost Jervin Guzman after his right knee landed badly after a fast break attempt.
Coming from being the ninth place to finish last season, the Pirates is now just four games away from claiming a thrice-to-beat advantage in the Finals if they complete a season sweep.
“It is there in front of us, but then again, the mindset that we really put in is all of the game that we will be playing is going to be crucial,” noted Robinson. “It is not a guarantee that you are going to win a championship, because there are a lot of flaws that we have to work on and have to keep on improving.”
MJ Ayaay led the Pirates with 15 points and nine rebounds, while CJ Perez finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Jaycee Marcelino had 11 points, while brother Jayvee Marcelino added nine markers, seven assists, five steals and three boards.
Meanwhile, Jerome Garcia paced the Generals with 17 points and nine rebounds with Sidney Onwubere finishing with double-double 15 markers and 11 rebounds in the defeat.
EAC Generals fell to a 6-8 card to settle for sixth place in the team standings.
