SAN SEBASTIAN was 5.2 seconds away from finally breaking through, but Renz Villegas had other plans.
Villegas buried a baseline jumper with 1.1 seconds left to lift Lyceum to a heart-stopping 78-77 win over the Stags in an NCAA Season 102 slugfest on Friday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan, spoiling San Sebastian’s bid to snap its losing streak.
The Pirates appeared headed for trouble after Niel Castor knocked down a triple to tie the game at 73-all, setting up a tense finish between the two sides.
Lyceum continued to keep them at bay through free throws by Omar Ondoa and Mac Guadana, but Gabat kept the Stags within striking distance by splitting his charities to make it a two-point game.
With 5.2 seconds remaining, Ralph Gabat came through with a clutch and-one play to tie the game at 76-all, putting the Stags on the verge of their first win of the season.
But Villegas answered with the biggest shot of the night, drilling the baseline jumper to put Lyceum ahead by one with barely a second left.
Castor had one last chance to rescue San Sebastian, but his jumper missed as time expired, leaving the Stags empty-handed once more.
The loss extended San Sebastian’s losing streak to eight games, while Lyceum escaped a gritty challenge to keep its NCAA Season 102 campaign moving.
Villegas finished with 17 points, four assists, two rebounds, and one steal, giving the Pirates the lift they needed in the closing seconds.
“Credits sa coaches do’n sa play. Parang nag-breakdown lang ‘yong defense, ‘di para sa’kin ‘yong play,” admitted Villegas.
“Buti na-recognize ng teammates ko, wala nang oras kaya nagtiwala lang ako, wala nang oras, e.”
Mac Guadaña also tallied 13 points, four rebounds, two steals, and one assist, while Jonathan Daileg and Simon Penafiel chipped in 10 and nine points, respectively.
Lyceum hacked out the win despite playing without head coach Jamike Jarin, who was ejected with 5:37 left in the second quarter.
The Pirates also lost team captain Genesis Aviles, who went down with a left knee injury after driving to the basket with 6:36 remaining in the third quarter.
“Nung na-thrown out si Coach Jamike, we all know kung galing kayo kay Coach, he’ll give you opportunity. Then when our captain Genesis Aviles injured his knee, sabi lang ng mga boys, it’s for Gen,” Lyceum deputy coach Jjay Alejandro said.
“So yun na yung pinaka-motivation namin is to give the win for Gen and Coach Jamike.”
Meanwhile, Gabat paced the Golden Stags with 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and one steal, while Castor added 13 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
The loss extended San Sebastian’s losing streak to eight games, while Lyceum escaped a gritty challenge to keep its NCAA Season 102 campaign moving.
The scores:
LPU 78 - Villegas 17, Guadana 13, Daileg 10, Penafiel 9, Aurigue 7, Ondoa 7, Fuentes 6, Rubico 4, Matienzo 3, Gordon 2, Nocum 0, Aviles 0, Manuel 0, Almario 0, Cardinas 0
SSC-R 77 - Gabat 22, Castor 13, Ynot 9, Alforque 9, Bacani 6, Suico 6, Muktimar 6, Ricio 2, Velasco 2, Dimaunahan 2, Cuya 0, Segovia 0, Barroga 0
Quarters: 20-23, 38-38, 63-58, 78-77
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