MANILA, Philippines–Lyceum made Letran pay for its shortcomings by hacking out a 97-90 victory Friday in the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament.
Starring Mike Nzeusseu, JC Marcelino and Reymar Caduyac, the Pirates capitalized on the maze of errors that the Knights committed all game long before holding off their rivals with crucial stops in the end.
Jaycee Marcelino scored 20 of his career-high 25 points in the second half and the steady Caduyac added a season-high 20 markers as the Pirates won their fourth straight in the second round and moved three games away from a sure trip to the Final Four.
After a couple of bridesmaid finishes the past two seasons, the Pirates seemed bound for another championship appearance as they improved to 10-3 while pulling down the Knights to their fifth defeat in 14 games.
LYCEUM 97—Jc. Marcelino 25, Caduyac 20, Nzeusseu 16, Ibanez 12, David 11, Tansingco 4, Pretta 3, Jv. Marcelino 2, Valdez 2, Guinto 2, Santos 0, Navarro 0.
LETRAN 90—Reyson 20, Muyang 16, Ular 14, Caralipio 8, Batiller 7, Ambohot 7, Balanza 6, Olivario 4, Javillonar 4, Mina 3, Yu 1, Pambid 0.
Quarters: 23-20, 40-44, 71-66, 97-90