Caduyac, Ayaay lead Lyceum in upset of Letran

Lyceum Pirates head coach Topex Robinson. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Lyceum pulled off a huge stunner on Friday, upsetting Letran 75-72 in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Reymar Caduyac took charge in the end for the Pirates, nailing six of his eight freebies in the clutch to stave off the furious Knights rally.

Mike Nzeusseu nabbed a double-double with 17 markers, 15 rebounds, and two blocks, while Mer Ayaay got 12 points, seven boards, and six assists.

Wilson Baltazar also had 10 markers and five rebounds in the win.

“It’s reality that were still 4-5 and we still have long ways to go,” said coach Topex Robinson. “As much as we want to celebrate this, we’re telling them that (Letran) will go back to us in the next round and it’s something we should prepare for. There’s more basketball to be played.”

The Pirates caught the Knights shell-shocked and grabbed a lead as high as 13, 53-40, in the third.

Ayaay allowed Lyceum to hold a 72-64 lead in the final 1:2, before Rey Nambatac stringed eight straight points  including two three-pointers to bring Letran within one, 73-72, with 12.9 ticks left.

Caduyac canned the insurance freebies with 12.9 seconds remaining amd the Pirates’ defense held in the end as Mcjour Luib muffed his trey at the buzzer.

Nambatac bucked a slow start and still finished with 22 points and four rebounds on a 7-of-19 shooting from the field for Letran, which slid to 5-3.

Jerrick Balanza also had 14 markers for the Knights, while Mcjour Luib had 11 points and four boards.

The Scores:

LYCEUM 75 – Nzeusseu 17, Caduyac 17, Ayaay 12, Baltazar 10, Alanes 6, Magbuhos 5, Gabayni 4, Soliman 2, Marata 2, Alban 0, Serafico 0.
LETRAN 72 – Nambatac 22, Balanza 14, Luib 11, Sollano 7, Apreku 6, Calvo 5, Quinto 5, Ambohot 2, Bernabe 0, Dela Pena 0, Balagasay 0.

Quarters: 20-14, 39-34, 55-47, 75-72.