PROPPED up by a big third-quarter run, Lyceum rolled past San Sebastian College 93-85 yesterday to keep its Final Four hopes alive in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
The Pirates snapped a three-game losing skid and pushed the Golden Stags on the verge, thanks to Renz Villegas who fired 25 points while John Barba had 20 markers.
Simon Penafiel chipped in 10 points for Lyceum, which improved to 7-8 in a tie with Letran. San Sebastian fell to 4-11.
“Iyong three losses naming, that’s in the past, kumbaga lagi kong sinasabi sa players namin that’s in the past, ang importante kasi iyong now, kung ano iyong mayroon kami ngayon which is iyong San Sebastian,” Pirates coach Gilbert Malabanan said. “But I give credit to coach Arvin (Bonleon) for doing a great job for San Sebastian.
“Talagang si Renz talaga iyong consistent as of now. Unang-una si Mclaude (Guadaña) iyon nga galing sa injury, tapos si Ato (Barba) nag-o-on and off (game) but again I still believe naman sa mga players ko pa rin, not only Villegas,” he added.
In the second game, skipper Basti Valencia dropped 25 points to lift Arellano University to an 81-77 win over Jose Rizal University to also stay in the hunt for a semis berth.
Valencia, who also grabbed five rebounds and issued three assists, showed the way as the Chiefs climbed to 6-9 in a tie with the Perpetual Help Altas.
Tmac Ongotan scored 17 markers while Em Geronimo and John Capulong combined for 22.
“Siguro ibinibigay ko rin sa mga players and sa mga coaches especially sa management sa support and sa tiwala na ibinibigay samin. Minsan winning is not everything,” Arellano strategist Chico Manabat said. “Iyong kung paano namin ginagawa iyong culture na gusto namin doon sa program and step by step, sabi nga, magbubunga din talaga.
“So, right now nandun kami sa time na hindi lang need lang namin maging consistent and iyong will to win, nakukuha na rin namin.”
