LYCEUM hacked out a tough 76-69 win over Centro Escolar University to advance to the 2019 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup semifinals on Monday.
Jayvee Marcelino came up big in the endgame, accounting for half of the 8-2 Pirates' finishing kick as they turned back a gritty Scorpions squad who came back from a 14-point halftime deficit and even tasted the lead in the final three minutes.
His crucial steal in the final 1:05 basically locked up the game, 72-67, before putting the final nail in the coffin in the waning seconds.
Marcelino finished with six points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, as he made up for the absence of his twin Jaycee, who finshed with nine points and three assists before suffering an apparent broken nose after inadvertently getting elbowed by CEU big man Maodo Malick Diouf on a rebound play in the first half.
Alvin Baetiong topscored for Lyceum with 13 points and five rebounds, while senior Reymar Caduyac added 10 points, three assists and two boards.
The Pirates also played without starting center Mike Nzeusseu.
Still, it was a proud performance for coach Topex Robinson, especially seeing how his wards stepped up in the game.
"It's really about how to help each other out. It was never an excuse for us that we don’t have our top players. It's always about inspiring others," he said. "Through adversity, we always have to find a way, not just to win, but to compete and give ourselves a chance. We're just happy we got the win because of plain grit."
Lyceum faces the winner of the quarterfinal match between La Salle and Letran.
Diouf corralled 17 points, 19 rebounds, seven assists, and five blocks in the losing effort, while Rich Guinitaran got 16 points and four boards.
The scores:
Lyceum 76 - Baetiong 13, Caduyac 10, Jc. Marcelino 9, Ibanez 8, Jv. Marcelino 6, Santos 6, Yong 6, David 4, Remulla 4, Valdez 4, Tansingco 2, Navarro 2, Laurente 2, Gaviola 0.
CEU 69 - Diouf 17, Guinitaran 16, Santos 12, Diaz 8, Caballero 5, Sunga 4, Abastillas 4, Bernabe 3, Pamaran 0.
Quarterscores: 22-21; 47-33; 58-50; 76-69.
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