IT never feels right for Jaycee Marcelino to play without his twin Jayvee on the court.
With Jayvee recovering from a deep cut on his nose in Lyceum's last game against Perpetual, Jaycee knew he had to make up for his brother's absence on Thursday.
Marcelino did just that, pumping 21 points, four steals, three rebounds, and three assists as the Pirates vented their ire on Arellano with a 34-point rout, 113-79.
It was the first time in the NCAA that Jaycee had to play without his identical twin, and without Jayvee, he really took it upon himself to double his workload.
"Sinabi ko na lang sa sarili ko na magdo-double effort na lang ako sa loob ng court kasi wala yung kambal ko," he said. "Kami nga yung hinahanapan ng team ng energy pag papasok kami sa loob kaya dinoble ko na lang talaga yung effort at energy ko sa loob para matulungan ko yung team."
For Marcelino, it was also his way of recovering from his showing in the Pirates' first defeat of the season at the hands of the Altas just last week as the 20-year-old cager regarded the loss as a reality check for the team.
"Yung nilaro namin nung nakaraan, nagising kami sa pagkatalo namin. Sabi namin sa sarili namin na gusto naming ibalik yung dating tayo, yung dating Lyceum na gigil sa loob ng court," he said.
That hunger truly showed for Lyceum against Arellano as the Pirates refused to step on the brakes and ran the Chiefs to the ground with 34 fastbreak points and 27 assists while also burying them with 14 treys on their way to 113 points, 81 coming off the bench -- all of which season-highs for any squad this year.
Though Jaycee had one hell of a game without his brother, he says he'd still rather have Jayvee on his side, win or lose.
"Syempre, excited ako na makabalik siya para makasama ko ulit siya sa loob ng court," said Jaycee. "Next week, pag naging okay na yung tahi pwede na ulit siyang makalaro. Yung tahi na lang naman yung pinapagaling eh."
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