FOILED in their first three tries, the Lyceum Pirates finally found a prey yesterday.
Leaning on a big second half push, the Pirates turned back the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers 82-75 to give coach Gilbert Malabanan his first win in the 97th NCAA basketball tournament at the La Salle Green Hills Gym in Mandaluyong.
Enoch Valdez churned out a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds for Lyceum, while prized rookie Mclaude Guadaña chipped in 14 markers, two boards, and three assists.
Yancy Remulla also had 10 and 11 for the Pirates, who atoned for their sorry 69-70 loss to the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals last Saturday and improved to 1-3.
The defeat was JRU’s fourth straight, counting a 53-67 setback to San Beda University last Sunday.
In the second game, Perpetual Help whipped Arellano University 87-70 to get back on track.
Jeff Egan sizzled with a career-high 26 points on 3-of-5 shooting from deep, on top of four rebounds and two assists for the Altas, while Jielo Razon and Kim Aurin added 14 and 11 markers, respectively.
Rey Barcuma also had 10 points, five caroms, and eight assists as Perpetual recovered from a 57-68 loss to defending champion Letran four days ago and improved to 2-2 for solo fifth.
The Chiefs failed to make up for their 71-76 defeat to the College of St. Benilde Blazers last Saturday and fell to 1-3.
Malabanan, who took over at the helm of Lyceum from Jeff Perlas late last year, was elated to have the monkey off his back.
“We’re so happy na nakuha namin iyong first win namin and as a team nakuha namin. I’m so proud of my players and assistant coaches kasi I cannot do it alone naman without their help. That’s why I am very thankful to have them,” Malabanan said.
“Lahat naman ng teams nagsimula from short preparations. Actually, hindi naman natin puwedeng gawing excuse siyempre iyong coaches naghahanda din. Iyong 0-3 (start) namin, napaghandaan lang kami,” he added.
The Pirates trailed by 12 points early on but battled back and made it 38-40 at the half and tied the count at 61-all going into the payoff period.
A John Delos Santos basket gave the Bombers their last taste of the lead 73-72 with 2:54 left before Lyceum went on a 10-2 windup capped by Valdez’s four straight points after JRU came to within 75-78 on a Chester Jungco bucket in the final 1:24.
