By MARK REY MONTEJO
Lyceum completed its payback against San Sebastian after hacking out a 70-63 win to punch its ticket to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City Tuesday, Nov. 25.
As expected, the play-in for quarters spot went neck-and-neck, but the Pirates willed their way out of trouble after Jonathan Daileg buried a huge triple for a 66-60 lead with 67 ticks left.
Aside from posting its fourth win that snapped its two-game slide, Lyceum’s victory arranged a quarters clash against twice-to-beat holder San Beda Thursday, Nov. 27, at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
San Sebastian, meanwhile, bowed out of contention with a 3-10 card.
In the quarters, it’s going to be Arellano University against Letran and College of St. Benilde against Mapua.
John Barba stood out for Lyceum after listing 22 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while Dialeg and Mike Versoza chipped in 14 points apiece. Renz Villegas added 10.
Jhuniel Dela Rama and Jose Lumanag paced the Stags after posting 17 and 15 points.
Meanwhile, Jose Rizal University completed the quarterfinal cast after eking out an 80-76 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College.
With under two minutes remaining, the Heavy Bombers turned a slim 74-73 edge into a 78-73 cushion as Justin Lozano and Allen Laurenaria knocked down clutch baskets. Harry Herrera then iced two free throws in the waning seconds to seal a closing burst that proved too much for the Generals.
JRU, which improved to 6-7, booked the final spot in the quarters, where it will face Group A No. 1 seed and twice-to-beat Perpetual Help.
Lozano led the Heavy Bombers with 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal, while Jay Garupil also stood out with 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
Nico Quinal fired 16 points, while Wilmar Oftana and EJ Castillo added 13 and 10, respectively—but their efforts went for naught as EAC closed its campaign with a 4-10 record.
The scores (Lyceum-San Sebastian):
LYCEUM 70 – Barba 22, Daileg 14, Versoza 14, Villegas 10, Montaño 3, Peñafiel 3, Moralejo 2, Aviles 2, Matienzo 0, Fuentes 0, Pallingayan 0, Casiño 0, Abregana 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 63 – Dela Rama 17, Lumanag 15, Cabilla 11, Gabat 6, Ricio 5, Castor 4, Felebrico 3, Dimaunahan 2, Cuajao 0, Nepacena 0.
Quarters: 20-21, 38-42, 50-47, 70-63.
The scores (JRU-EAC):
JRU 80 – Lozano 15, Garupil 14, Argente 12, Salvador 10, Laurenaria 7, Panapanaan 6, Duque 6, Benitez 6, Sarmiento 2, Herrera 2, Castillo 0, Peñaverde 0.
EAC 76 – Quinal 16, Castillo 14, Oftana 13, Angeles 9, Shanoda 8, Bagay 6, Lucero 5, Loristo 3, Omandac 1, Bacud 1, Ochavo 0, Jacob 0, Postanes 0.
Quarters: 18-18, 38-42, 60-58, 80-76.
