MJ Ayaay sank the game-winning lay-up with three seconds left to lift Lyceum to a 68-66 win over reigning champion Letran on Thursday in the NCAA Season 92 seniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Ayaay’s marginal basket gave the Pirates the lead to even their win-loss record to 5-5 in an auspicious start to the second round.
Off a miss by a Letran player, Ayaay ran the length of the floor to score the go-ahead basket. McJour Luib’s halfcourt heave wasn’t anywhere near the rim.
The basket by Ayaay completed Lyceum’s comeback from 10 points down midway in the fourth period, 63-53.
“We just fought and slugged it out with one of the best teams in the defending champions. It says a lot about our character. “We could have just rolled down, give reasons, and find excuses not to compete. We were focused on making stops,” said Robinson, who also gave credit to assistant coach and Letran alumnus Ricky Reyes.
Wilson Baltazar topped the Pirates in scoring with 18 points, while Ayaay added 16 including 12 in the fourth canto.
Letran, which led by as many as 12 in the contest, fell to its third straight defeat to stumble to a 5-5 win-loss slate.
The scores:
LPU 68—Baltazar 18, Ayaay 16, Alanes 9, Nzeusseu 6, Caduyac 5, Gabayni 4, Marata 4, Alban 2, Serafico 2, Magbuhos 2, Soliman 0.
Letran 66—Nambatac 24, Sollano 19, Ambohot 8, Quinto 7, Balanza 5, Calvo 3, Apreku 0, Balagasay 0, Dela Pena 0, Luib 0.
Quarters: 11-20, 37-41, 51-57, 68-66.
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