THE playing days of Lyceum coach Gilbert Malabanan are long over but he was so upset with his charges’ effort on defense against hard-fighting Arellano University that he wanted to suit up and be the missing “communicator” yesterday.
Good thing the Pirates got their acts together in time, holding off the Chiefs 82-80 for their second straight win that solidified their hold of solo second in the 98th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Arellano star Shane Menina missed on a three-point try inside the last 10 seconds that led
to a Renzo Navarro split from the charity line, only 4.4 ticks left.
The Chiefs’ Joshua Abastillas scored on a last-gasp short stab that pegged the final count.
Rookie Gyle Montano scattered 16 points spiked by two treys, on top of seven rebounds and three assists for Lyceum, while John Barba chipped in 15 markers and four boards.
Mclaude Guadaña also had 14 and four for the Pirates, who scored a big follow-up to their thrilling 82-79 overtime decision over San Sebastian College three days ago.
Arellano failed to recover from a 61-96 thumping at the hands of San Beda University last Friday.
“Medyo dismayado ako doon sa defense namin because iyong nga sinasabi ko iyong communication nila sa loob. Noong halftime nga ni-remind ko lang sila na kung hindi kayo magco-communicate diyan, ano gusto ninyo ako ang makikipag-communicate sa inyo sa loob? Kayo ang naglalaro sa loob,” Malabanan said.
“That’s why maraming nakatira sa kanila (Chiefs) ng three-points, naiiwan kami, hindi sila naglalaro as a team defensively,” he added.
The Intramuros-based five took a 44-42 cushion at the halfway mark and increased it to 70-58 heading into the final stanza.
A Montano trey stretched the difference to as much as 73-60 with still 9:30 to go.
