LYCEUM booked the final quarterfinals spot in Group A of the NCAA Season 101 men's basketball tournament after outlasting San Sebastian, 70-63, in the play-in, Tuesday at the Playtime Filoil Center.
Jonathan Daileg drained four three-pointers in the game, but none bigger than the one he hit with a minute and 13 seconds remaining in the game.
With the Stags hot on their heels, Daileg drained the dagger three-pointer from the left to give the Pirates a 66-60 lead, a lead they'd never relinquish.
With the win, Lyceum now sets a date with San Beda in the quarterfinals this Thursday, needing to win twice against the mighty Red Lions to advance.
"Jonathan Daileg, you know ever since na pag crucial talagang tumitira at tumitira. Gunner ko yan e. Kailangan ko lang talagang bigyan ng trust ang mga players ko," Lyceum coach Gilbert Malabanan said.
"Sabi ko nga sa kanila, kahit na ganito ako laging nagagalit sa bench, kilala naman ako ng mga players ko, so kumbaga wag sila maiilang and play their game. Ayoko lang nakikita silang kinakabahan sila sa loob ng court. The good thing as ang ganda ng response ng mga players, hindi lang si Daileg, but everybody."
Ato Barba made sure that he won't be playing his last game for Lyceum on Tuesday as he finished with a game-high 22 points on 6-of-10 shooting. while adding three rebounds and three assists to his name.
Daileg finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, hitting four-of-six attempts from downtown while Versoza also had 14 points and seven boards. Renz Villegas added 10 points, five steals and four assists.
It was solid recovery for the Pirates after starting the season by losing their first five games, and the seven of their first eight. But after winning three of their last five games and taking advantage of the new format, Lyceum gets a shot to keep its semifinals streak alive.
Jhuniel dela Rama led the Stags with 17 points and 15 rebounds but unfortunately for the young team of coach Rob Labagala, that wasn't enough to keep them alive for the tournament.
The scores:
LYCEUM 70 – Barba 22, Daileg 14, Versoza 14, Villegas 10, Montaño 3, Peñafiel 3, Moralejo 2, Aviles 2, Matienzo 0, Fuentes 0, Pallingayan 0, Casiño 0, Abregana 0
SAN SEBASTIAN 63 – Dela Rama 17, Lumanag 15, Cabilla 11, Gabat 6, Ricio 5, Castor 4, Felebrico 3, Dimaunahan 2, Cuajao 0, Nepacena 0
Quarters: 20-21, 38-42, 50-47, 70-63
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