Games today:
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
9:30 a.m. — EAC vs Arellano
3 p.m. — Letran vs JRU
Big man Jearlan Omandac took over at crunch time in Lyceum of the Philippines University’s 84-81 shocker over College of Saint Benilde for a share of the top spot in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The backup center nailed a pair of crucial three-pointers late in the payoff period to zap the fight out of the erstwhile streaking Blazers as the Pirates hauled in a fifth straight win for an 11-3 win-loss record tied with Mapua University.
“I just believed in myself my shots would fall even though I was throwing bricks in the first half,” the burly 6-foot-5 Omandac said.
Meanwhile, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta exacted revenge over first round tormentor San Beda University, 61-57, to breathe life into its Final Four hopes.
The Altas evened its record to 7-7 tied with Emilio Aguinaldo College while the Red Lions fell to an 8-5 card at solo fourth.
Lyceum coach Gilbert Malabanan praised Omandac for his clutch plays and also credited his team’s defense.
“Our priority is defense. We won’t make those shots if we didn’t get good stops,” Malabanan said.
Enoch Valdez was at the center of Lyceum’s defensive schemes as he was a disruptive force on that side with three massive steals that he laced with a game-high 15 points and six rebounds.
It was a heartbreaker of a defeat for Saint Benilde, which was dominating the boards and dictating the pace most of the game before a disastrous meltdown.
Prince Carlos had a chance to bring the Blazers into overtime but his desperation three-point heave from the left baseline went in and out as the final buzzer sounded.
