NCAA: Rookie Alban leads Lyceum in shocker over JRU

Big game from Lyceum’s Adrian Alban. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Adrian Alban played the game of his life on Friday, taking charge down the stretch as Lyceum repulsed Jose Rizal U, 69-66, for its first win in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The rookie playmaker from Tondo was responsible for six of the Pirates’ final 11 points to hold off the sluggish Heavy Bombers crew in the end game.

Alban poured 10 of his 19 points, three rebounds, and two assists in Lyceum’s first victory in four games.

“We’re still 1-3. We don’t want to put our guards down,” said coach Topex Robinson. “It’s just a testament that if were going to play together amidst all the adversities that has come our way, we’re going to go places.”

Mike Nzeusseu topped Lyceum with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and an emphatic block on Jordan dela Paz to finish the game.

Alban gave the Pirates a 66-60 lead with 1:13 left before Tey Teodoro and Dela Paz nailed three-pointers to keep JRU alive and get to as close as two, 68-66, with 13.3 ticks to spare.

Nzeusseu split his freebies in the final 9.6 to give the Heavy Bombers a glimmer of hope, but Dela Paz was unaware of the three-point deficit and drove to the basket on the other end before he was met by Nzeusseu
at the basket.

“Coming to this game, we’re more worried about ourselves. It’s just everybody, credit goes to every one and they did a great job. It’s a team effort,” said Robinson.

Ervin Grospe topped JRU (1-3) with 16 points and four rebounds, while Teodoro got 14 markers in the defeat.

The Scores:

LYCEUM 69 – Nzeusseu 24, Alban 19, Marata 8, Alanes 4, Ayaay 4, Malabanan 4, Serafico 4, Caduyac 2, Baltazar 0, Soliman 0, Magbuhos 0.
JRU 66 – Grospe 16, Teodoro 14, Poutouochi 10, Lasquety 10, Dela Paz 6, Abdulrazak 5, Pontejos 3, Salaveria 2, Astilla 0, Dela Virgen 0, Evardo 0.

Quarters: 9-16, 27-29, 45-47, 69-66.