Pirates upset Knights with great finish

Lyceum’s Mac Guadaña during a game against Letran in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament. NCAA PHOTO

Looking to be dead in the water early, Lyceum on Sunday sprang back to life in the second half against Letran as the Pirates rallied from 19 points down to shock the defending champion Knights, 82-75, in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena.

It was the fifth straight win in a 5-1 card for the Pirates, who lagged behind, 32-13, in the second quarter, before pulling it all together to deal the Knights a second consecutive defeat in a 3-3 card.

Arellano, meanwhile, held off Mapua’s late game surge to carve out a 64-59 win earlier.

Shane Menina drilled the game’s biggest basket, a step-back triple to give the Chiefs a 64-56 lead heading into the final 28.7 seconds as the Chiefs rose to 4-3 while adding to the Cardinals’ woes. Mapua, which earlier had its only win forfeited because of an ineligible player, slumped to a 0-7 record.

“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.

The score was tied at 73 when John Barba drilled a triple 1:51 seconds remaining that ushered the Pirates to the lead to stay.

Mac Guadaña added to the Pirates’ run with a layup plus a steal to sink two free throws for 80-73. He finished with a game-high 20 points with three triples.

Barba and Gyle Montaño scored 12 a piece for Lyceum, while Enzo Navarro added 11.

The Knights were still without suspended players Brent Paraiso and Louie Sangalang.

Fran Yu paced Letran with 18 points. INQ