Lyceum pounced on practically every mistake that Letran had on Friday to score a 97-90 victory as the Pirates remained red-hot in the second round of eliminations of Season 95 of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Jaycee Marcelino scored 20 of his career-high 25 points in the second half and the steady Reymar Caduyac added a season-high 20 as the Pirates won their fourth straight in the second round and moved three games away from a sure trip to the Final Four.
And just like their recent victories, Mike Harry Nzeusseu again provided the stability they needed around the rim to hold off the taller Letran front line of Larry Muyang, Jeo Ambohot and Ato Ular.
The bridesmaids to San Beda the past two seasons, the Pirates improved to 10-3 while pulling down the Knights to their fifth defeat in 14 games.
Emilio Aguinaldo, meanwhile, toiled for over two months waiting for that big game that can put the Generals out of an exasperating slump.
The Generals pulled that out earlier, a 79-75 upset of San Sebastian in the other game.
Wingman Kriss Gurtiza came out of his shell and led the Generals with 16 points while the hot-shooting Marwin Taywan sealed their second win in 12 games with four free throws that finished off the Stags, who dropped to 7-6, their Final Four chances now on shaky ground.
Allyn Bulanadi, the league’s scoring leader, sank six of his team’s last eight points, including a step-back triple that pegged the count at 70 inside the final minute.
But the desire of the Generals was just too strong for the Stags to overcome with John Paul Maguliano, Jethro Mendoza and Adrian de Guzman chipping in crucial baskets as well.
The Stags were never the same again after losing to the Letran Knights and the San Beda Lions.
Arellano stretched St. Benilde’s misfortunes with a stunning 75-69 reversal earlier in the day for a 4-10 record. The Blazers dropped below .500 at 6-7.
Kent Salado scored 18 points while Gelo Sablan poured all of his 14 points in the first three quarters for the Chiefs.