IN just less than a week, Lyceum earned its payback against Letran in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.
Buoyed by JM Bravo and JM Versoza's return from injuries, the Pirates demolished the Knights, 91-68, in a rousing start to their campaign in the second round on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Renz Villegas had 23 points, scoring leader Ato Barba flirted with a near-triple-double of 19 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, and Gyle Montano got 16 for Lyceum, which lost to Letran, 78-65, at the close of the first round last Sunday.
But the Pirates were quick to atone for the setback and got even against the Knights as they came re-energized courtesy of the return of Bravo (back) and Verzosa (hand) from separate injuries.
Barba said the team went through a team-building following the Letran loss and heading into the second round.
“After nung talo na yun, nag-team-building kami, three days kami sa Lyceum Cavite. Doon namin pinag-usapan yung mga dapat namin gawin and mag-prepare (for the second round),” shared the former NCAA juniors MVP.
The 6-foot-3 Bravo also had a good game in his return a month after suffering a back injury, finishing with an almost-double-double of 10 points and eight rebounds, while Verzosa was a perfect 3-of-3 from the field for seven points while adding four rebounds.
More cavalry coming for Lyceum
Barba added the Pirates could be complete by next game with the expected comeback from injury by guard Mac Guadana.
“Sila yung three missing pieces sa Lyceum nung first round,” said Barba of his three injured teammates.
The Pirates improved to an even 5-5 record as they outscored the Knights, 17-4, in the final eight minutes to secure the win.
The loss was a disappointing one for Letran, which fell to a 6-4 card after finishing the first round by winning four of its last five outings.
Deo Cuajao showed the way for the Muralla-based team with 16 points, but as a team, they turned the ball over 19 times which led to 26 points for their opponents.
The scores:
LYCEUM 91 - Villegas 23, Barba 19, Montano 16, Bravo 10, Versoza 7, Aviles 5, Cunanan 4, Peñafiel 4, Daileg 3, Moralejo 0, Paulo 0, Gordon 0, Panelo 0, Palingayan 0.
LETRAN 68 - Cuajao 16, Estrada 11, Javillonar 10, Miller 9, Monje 9, Santos 8, Nunag 2, Delfino 2, Montecillo 1. Baliling 0, Pradella 0.
Quarters: 21-all; 49-43; 70-61; 91-68.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
