LYCEUM poured on the heat in the final quarter to mount a huge comeback against Jose Rizal University, 97-92, and break through the win column of the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.
Ato Barba was at the forefront of the Pirates’ all-out assault, draining a career-best 28 points as the host school scored 36 points in a sizzling fourth period to complete the reversal.
Barba, the former NCAA juniors MVP, knocked down five straight points, including a clutch basket from way beyond the three-point arc to finally give Lyceum the lead, 95-92.
It was all downhill from there for the Heavy Bombers, who led by as much as 13 points in the first half and were still holding to a 72-61 edge going into the final period.
Barba capped his scorching performance by going 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, while adding five rebounds and three assists to give coach Gilbert Malabanan his first win of the season after three tries.
Vincent Cunanan scored the marginal free throws to finish with 20 points for the Pirates, who also got 17 from former junior standout Mclaude Guadana.
The game marked the first time Lyceum won’t be having around forward JM Bravo, who had been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a spine injury during Lyceum’s previous outing against San Sebastian College.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Heavy Bombers, who fell to a 0-3 record.
Jonathan Medina paced Jose Rizal with 22 points, including 20 in a high-scoring first half which had the school leading, 62-53.
Joshua Guiab added 20 points and seven rebounds for the Heavy Bombers, who were still ahead 88-83 at the 3:50 mark after a three-pointer by Shawn Argente.
But the Pirates were already on fire at that point as Barba and Cunanan sparked a short 7-2 run that knotted the count at 90-all with 1:26 remaining and opening the door for Lyceum’s thrilling finish.
The scores
Lyceum 97 -- Barba 22, Cunanan 20, Guadaña 17, Peñafiel 9, Montaño 9, Daileg 5, Aviles 4, Moralejo 2, Gordon 1, Villegas 1, Panelo 1, Caduyac 0, Culanay 0.
Jose Rizal 92 -- Medina 22, Guiab 20, Argente 11, Ramos 9, Sarmiento 9, Barrera 9, Pangilinan 3, Bernardo 3, Ferrer 2, Mosqueda 2, Panapanaan 1, De Leon 1, Raymundo 0, Samontanes 0.
Quarters: 28-32, 53-62; 61-72; 97-92.
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