Standings W L
San Beda 4 0
St. Benilde 4 0
Letran 5 1
Lyceum 5 1
San Sebastian 2 3
JRU 3 4
Perpetual Help 2 4
Arellano 1 4
EAC 1 4
Mapua 0 5
Games Today (The Arena, San Juan)
10 a.m. – St. Benilde vs JRU (Jrs)
12 n.n. – San Sebastian vs EAC (Jrs)
2 p.m. – St. Benilde vs JRU (Srs)
4 p.m. – San Sebastian vs EAC (Srs)
Games Tomorrow (Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City)
12 n.n. – San Beda vs Letran (Jrs)
2 p.m. – San Beda vs Letran (Srs)
4 p.m. – Mapua vs Arellano (Srs)
6 p.m. – Mapua vs Arellano (Jrs)
Lyceum of the Philippines University’s Cameroonian center Mike Nzeusseu converted a basket with seven-tenths of a second to play that powered the Pirates to an 87-85 victory against the Altas of University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in the 95th NCAA men’s basketball tournament ‘on-tour’ Thursday at the Perpetual Help gym in Las Pinas City.
It was a well-executed play for Lyceum that began with guard Jayvee Marcelino attacking the basket. He found on the left side Jayson David, who drove the baseline with time winding down.
Instead of playing the hero’s role, David saw the 6-foot-6 Nzeusseu inside the painted area and dished a shovel pass. The latter scored the basket that shattered the game’s second deadlock.
Perpetual Help had a chance to tie or win the game with a ‘catch-and-shoot’ but Marcelino sealed the deal for Lyceum when he blocked an attempt by Edgar Charcos from three-point territory as time expired.
That poise displayed by the Pirates was a testament of chemistry they’ve built playing together the past three years, which resulted to back-to-back Finals stint under coach Topex Robinson.
The team led 74-61 early in the fourth quarter but Perpetual Help rallied back behind Charcos, Benedict Adamos and Jeff Egan, whose triple leveled the score at 85-all with 2:09 to play.
The teams traded missed shots and turnovers before Nzeusseu delivered Lyceum what turned out to be the game-winner.
The victory extended the Pirates’ win streak to four as they improved to 5-1 that tied them with the Letran Knights for third and fourth spots in the standings, behind unbeaten teams San Beda University and College of St. Benilde – both tied on top with 4-0 cards.
As for Perpetual Help, the setback dropped the Altas to 2-4 – unable to score a second straight win after last week’s triumph against the Arellano University Chiefs that ended a three-game losing skid.
Robinson commended his players for their character as they withstood that run of Perpetual Help.
“We have to give credit to Perpetual Help for really showing school pride with the way they played. They could have easily give us the win, but they came back and we saw inspiring plays from both teams,” said Robinson.
“At the end of the day it’s really nice game. Jayson could have easily take the shot and be the hero. But this team is all about playing together,” added Robinson, whose team’s next game is against CSB on August 16.
Nzeusseu led Lyceum with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Reymar Caduyac added 14 points and Marcelino contributed 13 points and seven rebounds, while his twin brother Jaycee – who missed the previous game due to injury – finished with nine points.
Charcos led Perpetual Help with 16 points, while Adamos had 15 points. Egan and Jielo Razon scored 13 points apiece.
The Scores:
LYCEUM 87 – Nzeusseu 18, Caduyac 14, Marcelino JC 13, Marcelino JV 9, Tansingco 8, Valdez 8, David 7, Santos 5, Navarro 3, Guinto 2, Ibañez 0, Yong 0, Pretta 0, Remulla 0.
PERPETUAL HELP 85 – Charcos 16, Adamos 15, Razon 13, Egan 13, Aurin 7, Peralta 6, Barasi 4, Tamayo 3, Martel 2, Cuevas 2, Lanoy 2, Sevilla 2, Giussani 0.
Quarters: 25-16; 43-37; 74-61; 87-85.