LYCEUM showed nerves of steel to give Jamike Jarin his first win with the university after a gutsy 88-87 win over Mapua in the NCAA Season 102 men's basketball tournament, Monday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Lance Aurigue stood tall for the Pirates, coming away with clutch plays down the stretch to preserve his 21-point, 13-rebound double-double and push the Pirates to a bounce back win after a sour debut vs. College of St. Benilde the last time out.
Mapua, meanwhile, dropped its second consecutive game by one point with free throws once again being the bane of coach Chito Victolero and the Cardinals down the stretch.
The sophomore forward from Romblon scored the last nine points in Lyceum’s come-from-behind victory and capped it off with a crucial offensive board that shut the Cardinals’ chances of forcing overtime.
With their first loss coming in painstaking fashion against St. Benilde, Aurigue was eager to gut out a victory for new shotcaller Jamike Jarin, who also happens to share plenty of milestones in the Pasig Arena.
“Ayun nga po, coming from a loss sa Benilde, na-motivate lang din ako na manalo at makuha namin yung unang panalo dito. Tsaka kanina, nakuwento ko sa interview na maraming history kay coach Jamike itong Ultra na to," he said.
“Kaya di rin kami papayag na sa amin yung makuha yung unang talo. Ang hirap naman.”
Aurigue was backstopped by the backcourt duo of Renz Villegas and Matthew Rubico, who delivered 17 and 15 points, respectively, while also combining for seven assists and four steals.
Senior guard McLaude Guadaña was also crucial in the final frame, delivering two clutch triples on his way to nine points and two assists.
Meanwhile, six Cardinals breached double-figures in their second loss in two tries, led by Cuenco who had 15 points but missed a potential game-tying free throw in their final possession.
Cyrus Nitura and Ivan Lazarte also chipped in 14 apiece, while rookie Jamal Diaz finished with 13 points built on three triples.
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