NCAA: Pirates out to prove something

by Kristel Satumbaga

The Lyceum Pirates are not looking for payback when they face the San Beda Red Lions in their NCAA men’s basketball championship series starting next week.

Last season, the Pirates were heavily favored to win their first-ever title in the country’s oldest collegiate league after advancing outright to the finals following an 18-game elimination sweep.

But to the horror of Lyceum supporters, the Pirates uncharacteristically lost their fire and suffered back-to-back losses to the San Beda University Red Lions in the finals.

That was a big disappointment for a team the appeared invincible in the double-round elims.

The finals meltdown left the team with a huge scar that if the Pirates can’t make it this time to the Promised Land, they will forever be remembered as the league’s newest “heartbreak kid”.

Though finished second this time behind the Lions in the elims, the way they beat the Letran Knights in the semis was a testament of their burning desire to go for the biggest prize of the season.

With everybody clicking, the Pirates manhandled the Knights, 109-85.

But Lyceum coach Topex Robinson said they have put that sad experience behind them.

“They are not driven by vengeance. It’s about setting the stage to show what they’ve got,” said Robinson.

The two-time champions Red Lions, on the other hand, downed the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 83-72.

While San Beda boasts of a championship experience with its 13th straight finals appearance this year, Robinson believes the best-of-three title showdown will be a close one.

Robinson said they are using the 10-day break to take a breather outside of the court.

“Away time muna (break time first),” Robinson said. “We’re using this to bond together as a team because that is more important.”

Game 1 of their best-of-three series will be on Nov. 6 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.