MANILA, Philippines – Lyceum held off San Sebastian 60-55 despite scoring just two points in the fourth quarter to snap a five-game losing skid Monday in the NCAA Season 89 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Andrei Mendoza scored the Pirates’ only points in the final frame with only 15.1 ticks left that sealed the game.
“Nagsisisihan pa mga players kanina. Nakita yung immaturity ng mga players in the fourth quarter,” said LPU coach Bonnie Tan.
Lyceum, which controlled the game from the get-go, led by as much as 27, 58-31, on a left corner triple by Shaquille Alanes at the 1:03 mark of the third quarter.
That though, was the Pirates’ last basket in close to 11 minutes before Mendoza managed to end the drought in the waning seconds.
CJ Perez led the slumping Stags, who have now lost three straight games to fall to 4-5, with 16 points including nine in the fourth quarter.
San Sebastian, which never led, pulled to within three on a free throw by Leo de Vera with 23.4 ticks left.
Wilson Baltazar gave the Pirates, who led 58-33 after three quarters, a lift with 19 points built on five triples.
The Stags scored just four points in the opening quarter as they went two-of-16 from the field and missed all of their six free throw attempts.