By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Games Wednesday
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
11 a.m. – EAC vs San Beda
2:30 p.m. – Perpetual vs Mapua
Lyceum overcame a persistent San Sebastian, 93-85, and snapped a three-game losing skid to boost its Final Four campaign in NCAA Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Renz Villegas exploded with a career-high 25 points on a 9-of-11 shooting from the field to anchor the Pirates’ 7th win in 15 games.
The victory not only avenged Lyceum’s 95-93 first-round defeat to San Sebastian last Sept. 11 but also tied them with Letran at fifth place.
Villegas, who saw action in 28 minutes, highlighted his performance with three of the team’s four triples, while dishing out three assists and two steals.
Lyceum coach Gilbert Malabanan, though, not only lauded Villegas’ efforts, but also the overall performance of his stalwarts.
“Si Renz, talaga namang siya yung consistent sa amin as of now, but I still believe in my players, hindi lang sa kanya. It’s also a total team effort,” he said.
John Barba was also splendid offensively by unloading 20 points, while Simon Penafiel contributed 10 points despite playing for only 14 minutes.
After trailing 17-16 in the opening quarter, Lyceum asserted its might and took a 40-33 lead at the half before ripping the game wide open, 74-50. at the start of the payoff period.
But the Stags refused to give up without a fight, cutting their deficit to only 10, 82-72, following a Paeng Are triple with 2:20 to go.
However, it turned out to be San Sebastian’s last stand as Lyceum held on to that lead until the final buzzer.
Tristan Felebrico scored 18 points, Nikko Aguilar added 14, and Are and Raymart Escobido chipped in 12 points apiece in a losing effort for the Stags, who fell to a 4-11 card and kissed their Final Four bid goodbye.
