By Ricky Manliguis
MANILA—For the first time in 12 games this season, the
Lyceum Pirates were tested.
MJ Ayaay tough simply won’t let any team tarnish their
perfect season.
Ayaay capped off LPU’s Houdini act with a go-ahead bucket
with 7.4 seconds left as it shocked Arellano University, 94-92, in Friday’s
first game of the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball competitions at the FilOil
Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Trailing for majority of the match, the Pirates battled back
behind their captain plus the usual suspects as the Intramuros-based squad improved
to a 12-0 win-loss card.
From a 13-point hole, 74-87, in the 4:18 mark of the final
quarter, the Pirates erupted witha 14-0 salvo instigated by CJ Perez and Jaycee
Marcelino for a slim 88-87 lead.
Rence Alcoriza’s free throws off Perez’s fifth foul gave
the Chiefs a 91-88 edge with 1:24 left in the match.
Ayaay then went on to work with five straight points,
including that marginal basket off a Raymar Caduyac assist.
Kent Salado had the chance to send the game into
overtime, but missed his second free throw. Jayvee Marcelino then split his
charities for the final count.
Ayaay finished the game with 20 points on 6-of-13
shooting from the field along with 10 rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
Cameroonian slotman Mike Nzeusseu produced a
double-double of 17 points and 10 caroms, even as Caduyac churned in 15. Jaycee Marcelino chipped in 13 points, eight boards, four assists, and
four steals. Perez had 14 points.
The loss, the
Chiefs’ seventh against four victories, foiled Salado’s 24-point, seven-assist
night. Lervin Flores added 15 markers with 11 boards and six blocks, while
Richard Abanes and Zach Nicholls issued 12 and 11, respectively.
The Scores
Lyceum 94 – Ayaay 20, Nzeusseu 17,
Caduyac 15, Perez 14, Marcelino JC 13, Baltazar 7, Santos 4, Marcelino JV 2,
Ibanez 2, Tansingco 0, Pretta 0, Liwag 0, Serrano 0, Marata 0
Arellano 92 – Salado 24, Flores 15,
Abanes 12, Nicholls 11, Enriquez 8, Alcoriza 7, Dela Cruz 6, Villoria 4, Taywan
3, Concepcion 2, Canete 0, Meca 0, Filart 0
Quarterscores: 26-23, 44-47, 57-70,
94-92
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