Lyceum’s Mac Guadaña during a game against Letran in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament. NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Lyceum mounted a big comeback to shock defending champion Letran, 82-75, in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Sunday.
The Pirates (5-1), who continued to cruise with a five-game winning streak, climbed back from a 19-point hole in the second quarter.
“This was a very tough game. We know Letran is the defending champion so they have the heart of one. We just showed heart as well to match their aggressiveness,” Lyceum head coach Gilbert Malabanan said.
Lyceum guard John Barba sank the go-ahead triple, 76-73, with 1:51 seconds remaining before Mac Guadaña made it a seven-point game with a layup followed by a steal and two free throws.
Guadaña starred for the Pirates with a game-high 20 points built on three triples.
The Knights just couldn’t buy a basket with Kurt Reyson’s jumper even got denied by former Letran recruit Shawn Umali with under a minute left.
Barba and Gyle Montaño added 12 a piece for Lyceum while Enzo Navarro chipped in 11.
The Knights, who now dropped to a 3-3 record, were without suspended players Brent Paraiso and Louie Sangalang.
Fran Yu paced Letran with 18 points while Reyson had an all-around game of 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. King Caralipio, meanwhile, notched a double-double with 12 points and 17 rebounds in a losing effort.