By Ricky Manliguis
SAN JUAN CITY—When the going gets tough for the Lyceum Pirates, they just turn to Harry Nzeusseu.
The Cameroonian behemoth responded with a 20-20 performance as the Pirates pulled off an 83-79 squeaker opposite San Sebastian in the NCAA Season 92 basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Centre Tuesday.
Nzeusseu, the 21-year old big man, came in with 26 points and 24 rebounds, including the go-ahead putback with 25.9 seconds left to give the Pirates its third successive victory.
The Pirates built a 77-69 advantage in the fourth quarter, but the Stags mounted a fightback behind Ryan Costelo and Regille Ilagan, with the latter connecting on a booming triple to trim the deficit to 81-79, 41.7 left. That set the stage for Nzeusseu’s late-game heroics.
The Pirates then foiled Costelo’s last-ditch effort to seal the victory.
Wilson Baltazar contributed 14 points, while Jesper Ayaay and Shaq Alanes each registered 10 for the Pirates, who improved to 3-3.
Player of the Week Ian Alban struggled, finishing with only two markers.
Costelo paced the Stags, which slumped to 1-5, with 23 points, while Jerick Fabian cashed in 19.
Box Scores:
Lyceum 83-Nzeusseu 26, Baltazar 14, Ayaay 10, Alanes 10, Caduyac 9, Marata 7, Serafico 4, Alban 2, Malabanan 1, Soliman 0, Magbuhos 0
San Sebastian 79-Costelo 23, Fabian 19, Ilagan 15, Calisaan 10, Mercado 3, Quipse 3, Serajosef 2, Johnson 2, Calma 2, Baetiong 0, Capobres 0, Valdez 0, Gayosa 0, David 0, Bulanadi 0
Quarterscores: 23-24; 48-41; 59-58; 83-79
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