By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Lyceum threw Letran out of its comfort zone with its air-tight defense and exacted sweet revenge, 91-68, on Friday, Oct. 11, at the start of the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball second-round elimination at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Putting behind their 78-66 loss to the Knights last week, the Pirates quickly adjusted their game by dictating the tempo for most parts including in the fourth period where they outscored the Knights, 21-7.
The win evened Lyceum’s win-loss record to 5-5 to inch closer to its victim which dropped its fourth game in 10 matches.
Renz Villegas led the Pirates’ vaunted offense by unloading 23 points, but it was John Barba who struck hardest, posting 19 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.
Barba said the three-day team building they had at the end of the first round did wonders.
“Dun sa team building, dun kami nag-prepare, dun namin nakuha ulit yung energy namin and na-realize namin na kailangang magpapanalo na kami agad para matupad yung unang goal namin na makapasok sa Final Four,” said Barba.
After taking a 49-43 lead at the half, the Pirates stepped on the gas in the next two quarters particularly in the final canto where they held the Knights scoreless in the last 5:44 of the game.
Lyceum also took advantage of Letran’s 19 turnovers by converting these to 26 points, while also delivering 28 second-chance points.
They also outrebounded the Knights, 52-31.
Two other players scored in double figures for the Pirates with Gyle Montano posting 16 points and John Bravo adding 10 points on top of eight rebounds.
Vince Cuajao and Jimboy Estrada had 16 and 11 points, while Paolo Javillonar scored 10 points for Letran, but it was not enough to regain the same intensity they showed the last time.
The scores:
LYCEUM 91– Villegas 23, Barba 19, Montano 16, Bravo 10, Versoza 7, Aviles 5, Cunanan 4, Peñafiel 4, Daileg 3, Moralejo 0, Paulo 0, Gordon 0, Panelo 0, Palingayan 0.
LETRAN 68 – Cuajao 16, Estrada 11, Javillonar 10, Miller 9, Monje 9, Santos 8, Nunag 2, Delfino 2, Montecillo 1. Baliling 0, Pradella 0.
Quarters: 21-21; 49-43; 70-61; 91-68.
