Lyceum seeks to regain solo second when it goes for a repeat over University of Perpetual Help on Thursday in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Pirates are hoping to use their 93-90 win over the Arellano Chiefs on Tuesday as an extra motivation when they clash with the Altas at 4 p.m.
Mentored by Topex Robinson, the Pirates also beat the Altas, 87-85, in the first round.
Lyceum’s latest win tied them with Letran for second to third places at 7-3.
Defending champion San Beda is way ahead of the field with a perfect 10-0record.
Clashing at 2 p.m. are College of St. Benilde and San Sebastian College-Recoletos – two teams tied for fourth and fifth places with identical 6-3 cards.
Vengeance, however, is Perpetual’s main agenda.
“We fell short the last time because of a defensive mistake in the final stretch,” Perpetual oach Frankie Lim said. “We will try to do better this time. It’s time to bounce back.”
“Hopefully we can start winning games to have a chance of earning a spot in the playoffs. We’re now in the crucial stage of the tournament, so we have to double our effort,” added Lim.
With a 3-76 mark, the Altas ought to make a winning run.
Last season, the Altas made a run for a Final Four spot and they were able to clinch the No. 4 seeding but Perpetual Help lost to Lim’s former team in eventual champion San Beda University.
Robinson also expects nothing but a close call, noting that other teams are also improving as they press their bids for Final Four berths.
“Teams are improving because of that one reason and that is all of us are eyeing playoff berths. We also want to keep on improving as a team,” said Robinson, whose team is shooting for a third straight Finals stint, and possibly a first championship in the NCAA.
SSC-R hotshot Allyn Bulanadi, the only player who made it to the top five of the season MVP race that is dominated by San Beda, will join forces again with RK Ilagan in hopes of stretching their winning streak to four games. (Waylon Galvez)