PIRATES SURVIVE KNIGHTS SCARE TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED
By Maxine Louise Lagman
18 August 2017
The Lyceum of the Philippines stood their ground and snapped Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s four-game winning streak with a 75-68 victory on Friday in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The Pirates stayed behind the Letran Knights in the first three quarter of the game, when big man Mike Nzeusseu rallied in the fourth quarter to lead his squad and cut a 17-point deficit in the second quarter, 37-20.
Lyceum had a 10-2 run in the last quarter to turn the table around back on their side, finally getting the lead, 63-62, with the help of Jaycee Marcelino.
The Pirates soon got their rhythm back and pushed down the Knights to end the first round of the season undefeated, even without coach Topex Robinson’s guidance to boost them due to his one-game suspension.
CJ Perez continued to rise with a team-high 14 points and five rebounds, while Marcelino added 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Cameroonian Nzeusseu also had 13 points with 15 rebounds and three blocks.
Rey Nambatac led the Knights with 16 points and six rebounds. JP Calvo added 11 points and four rebounds.
Lyceum eyes first round sweep against Mapua on their next game, while the Letran ended the opening round with a 5-4 slate.
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