Lyceum of the Philippines University mounted a fourth-quarter comeback and toppled defending champion Letran College, 85-79, for its fourth straight win in Season 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre yesterday.
The Pirates leaned on Enoch Valdez, who scored 18 points and nine rebounds, as they remain on top of the standings with a 10-3 win-loss record along with Mapua University.
Valdez capped a 20-4 run to turn a 56-68 deficit into a 76-72 lead with three minutes and 38 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Kobe Monje tried to close the gap at 74-76 after nailing a jumper with 2:50 remaining but JM Bravo caught fire from afar by hitting three straight treys to put the game in the bag for the Pirates.
Lyceum head coach Gilbert Malabanan said while he liked how his players responded in the second half, he hopes to see them play consistently and not just rely on a fourth quarter barrage in their future games.
“We always looked at Letran as a contender. We don’t want to relax and I told the players we can’t be like this when we enter the playoffs,” Malabanan said.
“Honestly speaking, I think my players are used to playing in the fourth quarter but I liked the way they played in the second half.”
Mclaude Guadana also scored 18 points and grabbed one rebound and three assists for Lyceum with JM Bravo adding 17 points.
Deo Cuajao’s career-high 24 points weren’t enough for the Knights, who are already eliminated from Final Four contention, as they slid to a 1-12 slate.
The Cardinals also occupy the summit after a 70-63 win over San Sebastian College in the third match of the day.
Warren Bonifacio flirted with a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds as.
Romel Calahat had a double-double game of 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Stags, who dropped to 4-9 at eighth.
The first game of the day saw San Beda University wallop Emilio Aguinaldo College, 81-71, to share the third position with the College of Saint Benilde with identical 8-4 records.
Jacob Cortez led the Red Lions with 15 points while James Payosing had 14 points and eight rebounds for San Beda.
Nat Cosejo had 18 points as the Generals sank to sixth place with a 7-6 slate.
