Lyceum snaps losing streak with win vs Perpetual

Lyceum Pirates found their rhythm to gain their second win in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament at the expense of Perpetual Help, 98-89, at San Juan Arena on Tuesday.

The Pirates put a halt on their four-game losing streak to improve to a 2-5 card.

“Nakuha namin ‘yong game na ‘to, ‘di dahil sa’kin [lang]. It was a collective effort. Ilan din ‘yong nag double digits samin, nagstep up ‘yong mga kailangan magstep up,” Matthew Rubico said.

“Mahirap pag nagtatalo kaya kailangan namin trabahuhin ‘to.” he added.

The score was tied at 75-all halfway through the fourth quarter when Lyceum unloaded a 9-0 capped off by a McLaude Guadana bucket to put the Pirates up, 84-75, with 3:37 to go.

With under a minute left in the game, Lyceum continued to hold a nine-point advantage, 92-83, before Jonathan Daileg put the game out of reach with a triple that lifted the Pirates up, 95-83, with 26 ticks to go.

Mark Gojo Cruz and LA Casinillo refused to go silently into the night, sinking two triples for the Altas to cut the deficit to six, 95-89, but 12 seconds simply weren’t enough as they absorbed their fourth straight defeat.

Matthew Rubico stuffed the stat sheet with 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a steal.

Renz Villegas and Daileg also caught fire with 19 and 18 points, respectively, for Lyceum.

Guadana and Roger Ondoa also helped the cause with 14 and 11 markers each in the win.

Ray Maglupay top scored for Perps with 19 points while Angelo Gelsano followed suit with 18 to his name.

Casinillo and Mark Gojo Cruz turned in 17 and 13 markers, respectively, in the defeat that sent the Altas to 2-5 for the season.