NCAA: Lyceum stays unbeaten, beats pesky Perpetual Help

Lyceum Pirates.–NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Lyceum remained atop the standings after slipping past Perpetual Help, 76-73, in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at San Juan Arena.

After toppling last year’s finalist College of St. Benilde and defending champion Letran in their first two games, the Pirates needed to dig deep and stay composed late against a game Altas side.

“All coach GM told us was the game is not over until the buzzer sounds so we didn’t stop until the end. That was his main motto for us, don’t stop until the final buzzer,” said Lyceum big man Shawn Umali in Filipino.

Despite the unblemished start, Umali said the team is not looking at the standings to avoid overconfidence.

“We don’t even look at where we are. All we’ll do is celebrate this win today and tomorrow we go to work right away.”

In another thrilling finish for the Pirates, Umali’s putback and Vince Cunanan’s free throws kept the Altas at bay.

Enoch Valdez led Lyceum with 13 points and six rebounds while Umali finished with seven points and eight rebounds.

Mark Omega’s double-double of 14 points and 15 rebounds and Jielo Razon’s 14 points and seven rebounds went down the drain for the Altas.