LYCEUM made the most of its shot.
With Arellano playing without NCAA Season 102 top scorer T-Mc Ongotan, the Pirates pulled off a huge heist, claiming the 62-57 thriller on Thursday at Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.
Matt Rubico showed the way with an all-around 15 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, as LPU improved to a 4-5 card.
Basti Valencia could not be the hero for the Chiefs this time out, muffing his potential overtime-forcing trey, leading to Mac Guadana icing the game with two freebies in the last 9.4 ticks.
Guadana, for his part, chipped in 10 points, all in the final frame, and two boards, while Lance Aurigue stepped up with 11 points, four rebounds, and four blocks off the bench to see the Pirates end their crossover round with three straight victories.
What made this win sweeter was Lyceum dedicating this win to coach Jamike Jarin, who was serving a one-game suspension, leaving the crew to assistant coaches Jjay Alejandro and Christien dela Cruz.
"Tinatak talaga namin sa puso namin na i-dedicate yung laro para kay coach Jamike kaya sana proud siya sa amin," said Rubico.
Lyceum sets sail for playoffs
Indeed, it's the morale boost the Pirates need in this wild and wooly season, as they head to the second round looking for better positioning in what has been a tough Bracket A.
"Coach Jamike prepared us. This game was about execution," shared Alejandro, with LPU shooting 38-percent from the field and pounding it down low to net 40 points in the paint.
Ongotan, who averages 19.0 points, 5.75 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.6 steals, was sorely missed by Arellano, as he recovers from a sprained right ankle incurred in their last game against San Beda.
Valencia was the lone Chief to breach double-figures in scoring with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
EJ Geronimo ended up with eight points and three assists, but was well covered by Aurigue down the stretch when he flubbed his courageous drive which would have tied the game at 59.
Arellano fell to a 5-4 standing after shooting a paltry 4-of-31 from deep.
The Scores:
LPU 62 - Rubico 15, Aurigue 11, Guadana 10, Ondoa 8, Matienzo 5, Daileg 4, Villegas 3, Gordon 0, Pallingayan 0, Fuentes 0, Panelo 0, Manuel 0, Nocum 0, Caduyac 0.
ARELLANO 57 - Valencia 11, Geronimo 8, Hernal 8, Flores 7, Borromeo 5, Anama 5, Vinoya 4, Cabotaje 4, Langit 3, Manansala 2, Camay 0, Buenaventura 0, Abiera 0, Barraca 0.
Quarters: 15-15, 34-31, 46-45, 62-57.
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