Lyceum escapes EAC for 7th straight win

Jaycee Marcelino. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Lyceum weathered a furious rally from Emilio Aguinaldo College to score the 97-93 stunner Thursday in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament at EAC Gym in Ermita.

Jaycee Marcelino uncorked 20 points, five rebounds, three assists, and four steals, none bigger than his swipe against Francis Munsayac with 7.0 seconds to spare as he cruised to the game-clinching fastbreak to preserve the Pirates’ 7-0 record.

“We need games like this to sharpen us, for the players to know that even though we’re undefeated, we should remain grounded,” said assistant coach Jeff Perlas, who took charge of the team after coach Topex Robinson was ejected after incurring two technical fouls midway through the second period.

CJ Perez also scattered 20 markers, three boards, and five assists, while Mike Nzeusseu registered a double-double in the tune of his 17 points, 19 rebounds, and a block.

The Pirates shrugged off the distraction and controlled the tempo in the second half as they  grabbed a 91-84 lead in the final four minutes.

But the home team refused to roll that easily, with Juju Bautista keeping the Generals in the game before Rustan Bugarin knocked down the undergoal stab with 54.4 seconds to play.

Bugarin also denied Perez’ drive in the ensuing possession, but EAC couldn’t make the most of its chances as Munsayac bobbled the rock and allowed Marcelino to snuff the ball out of his grips for the dagger layup.

The loss spoiled an emotional day for EAC as the team dedicated the game to its Cameroonian big man Hamadou Laminou, who was ruled out of the season after tearing his ACL on his right knee.

Munsayac also saw his career-best 26 points go down the drain, while also collecting four assists and two rebounds in the defeat.

Jerome Garcia had 19 markers and five boards for the Generals, which saw their two-game winning streak snapped and fell down to an even 3-3 slate.

The Scores:

LYCEUM 97 – Perez 20, Jc. Marcelino 20, Nzeusseu 17, Jv. Marcelino 9, Caduyac 8, Ayaay 6, Baltazar 5, Ibanez 5, Santos 3, Tansingco 2, Marata 2, Pretta 0.

EAC 93 – Munsayac 26, Garcia 19, Bautista 11, Diego 11, Bugarin 10, Onwubere 6, Pascua 5, Neri 3, I. Mendoza 2, Corilla 0, J. Mendoza 0, Tampoc 0, Guzman 0.

Quarters: 27-24, 52-49, 77-71, 97-93.