Lyceum, San Beda in all-important NCAA game
THE still-undefeated Lyceum Pirates and defending champions San Beda Red Lions engage in an all- important National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) game today on the final day of the eliminations in Season 93 which carries a lot of playoff implications.
Lyceum (17-0) is out to make history for the school with a sweep of the regular season that would, in turn, earn it direct passage to the finals while San Beda ( 16-1) looks to derail such from happening while at the same time avenging its firstround loss and possibly pipping its way to the top spot by way of goal difference.
The Lions need to beat the Pirates by more than five points in today’s game to secure first place after losing to Lyceum, 96-91, in their first encounter.
Showing much steadiness on both ends of the court, the Pirates have stitched up their best season to date since joining the country’s longest-standing collegiate league in 2011.
They have been the best offensive team in Season 93 with an average of 89.6 points and complementing it well on the defensive end with a fifth league-best 74.4 points allowed.
Multiple player of the week winner CJ Perez has been the main guy for Intramuros-based Lyceum with all-around numbers 19.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals.
Rookie Jaycee Marcelino has been adding 10.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals while big man Mike Nzeusseu is producing a double-double of 10.5 points and 11.3 rebounds to go along with 1.1 blocks.
Skipper AJ Ayaay is the other Pirate in double figures with 10.1 points on top of 7.2 rebounds.
Coming into today’s contest, Lyceum is off a dominant win over the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 100- 63, last Friday.
Perez was at the forefront anew of the attack, finishing with 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals in a game which the Pirates controlled much of the way, punctuated by a torrid finish in the fourth period.
“The sweep is not our goal but that won’t stop us from going for it. We have to stay at our best and we are looking forward to our game against San Beda,” said Lyceum coach Topex Robinson in the lead-up to today’s game.
EYE ON THE TOP
Dominated the NCAA regular season for the last decade, San Beda tries to continue such with a victory against Lyceum that would afford it a shot at finishing on top of the standings anew.
The Lions were tested by rivals Letran Knights also last Friday but managed to find a way to survive and win, 73-68.
Donald Tankoua paced San Beda in their win over Letran with 15 points and eight rebounds followed by Robert Bolick with 13 points and six assists.
Calvin Oftana, meanwhile, added 13 markers and five boards in the Lions victory that allowed them to stay just a rung below of the Pirates.
“This win is important for us in preparation for our game against Lyceum on Thursday,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez following their victory, just as he said that hopefully their defense holds up against an explosive Pirates crew.
Lyceum versus San Beda is set for 2 p.m. at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Meanwhile, at 4 p. m., Season 93 hosts San Sebastian Stags (8-9) take on the University of Perpetual Help Altas (4-13) in a game that the former has to win to stay in the hunt for a spot in the Final Four.
San Sebastian aims to join Letran and the Arellano Chiefs in a three-way logjam for fourth place at 9-9 and have a playoff for the lone remaining semifinal slot. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo