Pirates bolster semis drive

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ROOKIE Jonathan Daileg came up big in the fourth quarter as Lyceum of the Philippines turned back Emilio Aguinaldo College yesterday 74-65 to move closer to the Final Four of the 100th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Daileg scored all his 11 points in the fourth to help the Pirates overcome a five-point deficit en route to their ninth victory in 17 games, good for solo fourth and at least a playoff for a semis berth.

The Pirates can seal the last spot in the postseason if they could beat College of St. Benilde this Friday.

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“Ang key diyan ‘yung trust. Kung sino kukunin ko siyempre pinagkakatiwalaan ko, pag maganda ipinakita tuloy-tuloy na,” said Lyceum coach Gilbert Malabanan, whose decision to field Daileg spelled the big difference.

Despite the defeat, their ninth against eight wins, the Generals remained in the Final Four hunt. But they need to win their last elimination game against JRU this Friday and hope that Lyceum loses to CSB.

If that happens, the Generals will force either a playoff for the last semis seat in case of a two-way tie or a pair of playoffs in case of a three-way logjam for No. 4.

John Bravo contributed two points and seven rebounds in 14 minutes of action as he returned from injury.

EAC took a 54-49 lead and appeared to have taken the momentum on a free throw by Wilmar Oftana with over seven minutes left.

But Daileg, showing composure seldom seen from rookies, went into offensive mode and helped the Pirates steal the win.

Renz Villegas had 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal for Lyceum while Mclaude Guadana added 10 points and five boards for the Intramuros-based crew.

“I always reminded them that this game is very important for us. Kung importante sa EAC, importante rin sa amin ito kasi our goal is to go to the Final Four and kung gusto naming pumasok sa Final Four we have to win this,” Malabanan said.

“Sa lahat ng games namin this season, ito iyong pinaka-special sakin. Hindi dahil sa nanalo kami, pero kumpleto kami naglaro ngayon. First time naming nakumpleto,” he said. “Iyon naman ang gusto natin as a head coach, hindi naman manalo o matalo, but again second na lang iyon, makita ko lang iyong mga anak ko, mga players ko na healthy, I’m happy.”

Perpetual Help ended its campaign on a high note, scoring an 86-82 triumph against the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers.

The Las Pinas-based squad finished the season with seven wins and 11 losses, with JP Boral tallying a game-high 22 points, five rebounds, two steals, an assist and a block.

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