NCAA Finals trip dream come true for Marcelino twins

Marcelino twins. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Sweeping the elimination phase of NCAA Season 93 didn’t just propel Lyceum to the Finals, it also made the Marcelino twins’ birthday wish come true.

“I’m so happy. It’s the first time that this happened in my life. I won championships in the other leagues, but this is the big leagues we’ve been dreaming of,” said Jayvee in Filipino.

“This is our wish. We really want to win so that we can go to the championship. It’s really a different feeling,” Jaycee added.

In front of a packed Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan, the Marcelinos celebrated their 20th birthday in style as Lyceum toppled San Beda in double overtime, 107-105, on Thursday to end their eliminations campaign on a record-setting 18-0 sweep.

Though there were times that the Pirates seemed on their way to their first defeat this season, the Marcelinos said that the boisterous Lyceum crowd gave them the huge lift that fueled them to stay in the game.

“You can see and feel the support we’re getting. They’re not giving up on us so we’re also not giving up on them. We really want to get the win for the crowd,” said Jaycee.

Jaycee fired nine points, nine rebounds, three dimes, and three steals, while Jaycee had four markers, three dimes, a rebound and a steal. More importantly, the Marcelinos played tremendous defense on the Red Lions backcourt and kept Robert Bolick in check for the whole game.

The job, though, still isn’t over for Lyceum with still a best-of-three Finals to play.

And for the Marcelinos, it means playing in front of larger crowds and in bigger venues like Smart Araneta Coliseum for the first time.

But just like what coach Topex Robinson has been reminding his wards, the two are keeping their emotions in check as they seek to do what they do best: help the Pirates in any way they can.

“It’s going to feel good, but just like what coach has been telling us, we don’t play for the crowd but ourselves so that we won’t feel the pressure and we can contribute to the team,” said Jaycee.

Jayvee butted in, saying, “We’re excited because we’ll play in those venues. But now that we’re here, we’ll play harder and double the effort so that we can inspire the people who are supporting us.”