Pirates survive Altas for fourth straight triumph

Lyceum regrouped just in time to beat Perpetual Help System Dalta, 87-85, and stretch its winning run to four games in the 95th NCAA men’s basketball tournament on Thursday night.

Cameroonian Mike Nzeusseu scored a layup off a Jayson David assist with seven-tenths of a second left for the marginal basket for the Pirates, who rose to 5-1 overall.

The tight ending didn’t seem likely as Lyceum was sitting on a 72-57 bubble, only for the Altas to rally hard and tie the game for the last time at 85 after a Jeff Egan basket going into the final 18.9 seconds.

“You have to give credit to Perpetual for showing full pride in playing the game. They could have easily given us the win,” Lyceum coach Topex Robinson said.

“Jayson David could have easily taken the shot and be the hero. But what’s special about this team is everybody is trying to make everybody look good,” Robinson said. “You have to give credit to how this team is playing together.”

Nzeusseu finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Reymar Caduyac chipped in 14 points for the Pirates.

Jaycee Marcelino, who was rested in LPU’s 95-77 win over Jose Rizal University on July 26, had 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists in his return for LPU.

The Altas dropped to 2-4.