Lyceum Pirates in NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball. –NCAA/GMA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Lyceum relied on its “diesel-powered” bench once again as it outlasted San Sebastian, 82-79, in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Sunday.
The Pirates, who took the solo second spot with a 6-2 record, turned to their second unit to deliver the goods in overtime. JM Bravo, who played off the bench, produced seven of Lyceum’s nine points in the extension period.
“My first, second and third unit are starting to be the same. They’re so good that if they are put in other schools, they can be included in the first five. That’s the reason why I trust my players with all my heart,” coach Gilbert Malabanan said.
When the Golden Stags produced buckets in overtime, Bravo, who finished with 14 points and six rebounds, would always have a response.
After going perfect from the line to score their first points up in the extra period, the guard sank a layup and a three-point shot to take a crucial 80-79 lead for Lyceum with 58.2 seconds remaining.
Claude Guadaña was then fouled and split his free throws to give the Pirates a 81-79 cushion with 14.1 left.
The Golden Stags had a chance to tie or win the game but Raymart Escobido turned the ball over to doom San Sebastian to its fifth season loss.
In regulation, the Stags were ahead, 73-69, before Renzo Navarro converted a triple to bring the Pirates within sniping distance, 73-72.
Lyceum snagged a steal in the dying seconds while Guadaña was put to the test in the charity stripe, going 1-for-2 to tie the game at 73-all.
Romel Calahat was given the green light to shoot the game-decider for San Sebastian but missed the midrange jumper as time expired.
Guadaña finished with 14 points and two steals for Lyceum while John Barba scored 11.
Escobido and Alex Desoyo scattered 12 markers each for San Sebastian, which dropped to a 2-5 card.
The Scores:
LPU 82 — Guadana 14, Bravo 14, Barba 11, Umali 9, Penafiel 9, Navarro 8, Valdez 7, Montano 5, Cunanan 3, Larupay 2, Aviles 0, Villegas 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 79 — Escobido 12, Desoyo 12, Calahat 9, Felebrico 9, Villapando 7, Altamirano 7, Cosari 7, Sumoda 5, Una 3, Yambing 3, Concha 3, Shanoda 2, Are 0. Quarters: 27-29, 48-46, 61-64, 73-73, 82-79.