Lyceum, San Beda top groups as PCCL Final Four is set

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Lyceum outsteadied Ateneo down the stretch while San Beda romped La Salle as the two NCAA topped their respective groups in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League Elite Eight Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena.

The Pirates eked out a 69-65 win to sweep their group at 3-0 and draw San Sebastian in the crossover semifinals.

Mike Nzeusseu finished off an and-one play with 1:54 remaining to tilt the favor to the Pirates’ side before CJ Perez cashed in on his freebies to make it, 65-62, with 19 seconds to go.

The Cameroonian Nzeusseu delivered a double-double of 19 points and 21 rebounds, while Perez got 19 markers, five boards, and four steals. Jaycee Marcelino added 15.

Adrian Wong was the lone bright spot for Ateneo with 10 points.

Meanwhile, the Red Lions hardly broke a sweat as they destroyed the winless Green Archers with a 79-35 humiliation.

Clint Doliguez led the steamrolling with 12 points, 10 coming in the first quarter to set the tone for the beatdown.

Calvin Oftana chipped in 12 points and had six boards and Radge Tongco got nine to make up for the absence of Robert Bolick, who had to be subbed out after suffering a minor knee injury early in the tussle.

San Beda will face Ateneo in the other duel in the crossover semifinals.

Mark Alcala paced La Salle with 12 points as La Salle, bannered by Team B players, exited the tournament winless.

In the other game, University of Visayas gained some sense of pride after an 85-82 victory over Naga College Foundation.

Rey Suerte dropped 30 points, but more importantly, dished the go-ahead assist to Michael Maestre with 14.4 seconds to spare as the Green Lancers completed their comeback from 13 points down.

Liberian Bassieru Sakor unloaded a double-double with his 13 markers and 13 rebounds to give the Cesafi champion its lone win in the tournament.

Jaymar Allarey carried the Tigers with 16 points in the loss.

The scores:

First Game:

UV 85 — Suerte 30, Sakor 13, Delator 8, Segumlan 8, Maestre 6, Gahi 5, Cabahug 5, Balabag 3, Soliva 1, Hassan 0, Albina 0, Butohan 0.

NCF 82 — Allarey 16, Ojoula 13, Margallo 10, Lapinid 10, Hermonio 8, Magpantay 6, Lawas 6, Olayvar 3 Mangubat 3, Padua 0.

Quarters: 17-26, 30-43, 59-59, 85-82.

Second Game:

SAN BEDA 79 — Doliguez 12, Oftana 12, Tongco 9, Tankoua 8, Noah 8, Cariño 6, Ejercito 5, Cabanag 4, Penuela 4, Bahio 4, Mocon 3, Abuda 2, Adamos 2, Bolick 0, Presbitero 0.

LA SALLE 35 — Alcala 12, Yang 8, Cu 7, Souka 5, Lapena 3, Dominguez 0, Yongco 0, Tan 0, Angeles 0, De Robles 0, Calleja 0.

Quarters: 18-7, 42-18, 62-29, 79-35.

Third Game:

LYCEUM 69 — Perez 19, Nzeusseu 19, Jc. Marcelino 15, Ayaay 4, Jv. Marcelino 3, Santos 3, Tansingco 2, Ibanes 2, Serrano 2, Caduyac 0, Cinco 0.

ATENEO 65 — Wong 10, Black 9, Ravena 7, Maagdemberg 6, White 5, Ma. Nieto 5, Navarro 5, Mi. Nieto 4, Verano 3, Mamuyac 3, Mallillin 2, Go 2, Andrade 1, Tio 0, Asistio 0.

Quarters: 16-20, 34-36, 49-52, 69-65.