Alanes hits marginal baskets as Lyceum gets first win against CSB

By Ivan Saldajeno

SAN JUAN, MM--He may not be literally as big as that Shaq, but Shaq Alanes showed the big heart in the end for Lyceum.

The lefty point guard scored the go-ahead three-pointer and sealed the Pirates' win with clutch free throws as they got their first win in NCAA Season 91 with a 72-69 decision over the CSB Blazers at the FilOil Flying V Arena on Thursday.

Alanes saved Lyceum from a late collapse as the team saw CSB coming back from an eight-point deficit in the third quarter to take a 64-62 advantage with 2:29 left in the fourth period.

But a follow-up by rookie Noah Lugo and a free throw from Jebb Bulawan put the Pirates back on top, 65-64, with 1:23 remaining.

Both teams played seesaw basketball before Jonathan Grey hit a triple against Alanes' defense to put the Blazers ahead for the last time, 69-67.

Alanes, however, answered Grey's long tom with one of his own that turned out to be the game-deciding basket.

Grey failed to make two layups that would have put CSB back up in the dying moments of the game as Alanes made two charities for the final tally.

Alanes had 18 points, while Lugo added 16 for the Pirates, who moved up to 1-2.

Grey finished with a game-high 19 markers, 15 coming in the fourth quarter, for the Blazers, who slipped to 1-3.

Box Scores:

Lyceum 72-Alanes 18, Lugo 16, Gabayni 11, Baltazar 10, Ayaay 8, Soliman 2, Nguidjol 2, Marata 2, Lacastesantos 2, Bulawan 1, Sunga 0, Malabanan 0, Taladua 0, Mbida 0, Elmejrab 0

CSB 69-Grey 19, Saavedra 12, Nayve 11, Ongteco 7, Fajarito 7, Jonson 6, Flores 3, J.J. Domingo 2, Castor 2, J.S. Domingo 0, Deles 0, Sta. Maria 0, Dixon 0, Young 0, San Juan 0

Quarterscores: 16-16, 30-29, 44-38, 72-69