IN A week when San Beda remained the only team unscathed in NCAA Season 92, an unheralded guard from Tondo, Manila, made his mark for the Lyceum Pirates, who snapped out of their early-season funk with back-to-back victories.
Seeing limited minutes in the first three games, rookie guard Ian Alban seized his chance against Jose Rizal U and St. Benilde, while helping the Pirates climb to the middle of the standings.
The 5-foot-10 Alban fired 19 points, including 10 in the fourth period, in the Pirates’ 69-66 upset of the Heavy Bombers. Proving his performance was no fluke, Alban shone against the Blazers with 21 in the presence of his mentor, Rain or Shine guard Paul Lee, who watched the game at Filoil Flying V Centre.
Lyceum coach Topex Robinson, who had a long career as a fringe player in the PBA, knows a thing or two in how to make the most out of opportunities. And he was just glad his ward came up big when his number was called upon.
“Last game (against JRU), coach Topex (Robinson) told me not to be contented with the way I’m playing,” said Alban, who was named Accel Quantum Plus-3XVI NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week.
Alban’s stunning performances bested that of San Beda’s Davon Potts, who came up with 31 points in the Red Lions’ 101-86 win over title favorite Arellano U last Friday.