A jumper from Omar Larupay with 5.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter lifted Lyceum of the Philippines University past San Beda University, 81-80, in Season 85 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Larupay used his height inside the paint against Tony Ynot to close out scoring.
Red Lions Gab Cometa and Justine Sanchez failed to convert their shots in the endgame as Lyceum raised its record to 10-3.
Pirates head coach Gilbert Malabanan’s instruction was to go the extra mile and stay upbeat.
“I just told the players we will win this game. We need to be positive and that was the outcome we got,” said Malabanan, who drew 15 points from Larupay.
Enzo Navarro also shone for the Pirates, dropping 10 points and dishing off seven assists.
Meanwhile, Mapua University isn’t giving up on its Final Four dream after a convincing 67-47 win over Arellano University in the first game.
The Cardinals dominated the entire game as they picked up their sixth win in 15 games.
Rence Nocum, who flirted with a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, gave Mapua its biggest lead with 28 points, 56-28, when he scored on a layup with eight minutes and 16 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara said he had to challenge his bench to keep up with the team’s energy.
“You can see it in the energy of the starters. I told the second and third units they have to show the same energy as well,” said Alcantara, whose squad outpaced the Chiefs in bench scoring, 44-23.
“Everyone has to be ready and be aggressive.”
Joaqui Garcia led the Cardinals with 13 points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal while Jomer Mercado dropped 10 points, six boards and three feeds.
