Lyceum guard JM Bravo.–NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Lyceum found itself in a three-game losing streak to end the first round but the Pirates’ unpredictability brought them back to the top spot with JM Bravo leading the charge.
Even before the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament started, coach Gilbert Malabanan already raved about his squad’s unpredictability and depth on offense with any player on the team capable of producing at any given moment.
This week, Bravo turned out to be that guy for Lyceum, earning him the Collegiate Press Corps’ Player of the Week award.
“It’s really better this way because our opponents won’t know who to guard so they’ll have to concentrate on team defense. That’s the good thing about us. Whoever we choose to play, they’re ready. They may start flat but once they heat up, it’s okay,” explained Malabanan.
Bravo averaged 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in the Pirates’ last two games which saw them regain the top spot at 10-3.
Behind the 6-foot-2 Bravo’s heroics, Lyceum stretched its winning run to four games with its most recent victory coming at the expense of defending champion Letran, 85-79.
In that game, Bravo came up big with 17 points and four boards.
“For me, I have a lot of gratitude to Coach Gilbert for the trust. I won’t waste the trust he has for me, that’s what I always tell him… They gave me the motivation to keep doing what I do inside the court,” said the lanky forward.
Bravo beat Jun Roque of Perpetual Help, Will Gozum of College of St. Benilde and Clifford Jopia of San Beda for the weekly citation.