LYCEUM of the Philippines University moved closer in securing the remaining NCAA men’s basketball Final Four berth after dismantling Emilio Aguinaldo College, 74-65, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre yesterday.

The Pirates improved to a 9-8 record, while pushing the Generals on the brink of elimination with a 8-9 slate.

LPU opened a one-game cushion over EAC and Letran in the race for the last Final Four spot.

College of Saint Benilde, Mapua and defending champion San Beda have already secured spots in the semifinals. The Blazers and the Cardinals have assured of top-two finish with the twice-to-beat incentive.

Coach Gilbert Malabanan was satisfied the way the Pirates responded against the Generals, who are seemed to be headed for another heartbreak of missing a breakthrough Final Four stint.

“I always reminded them that this game was very important to us. Kung important din sa EAC, mas importante din sa amin ‘to kasi our goal is going to the Final Four, and kung gusto namin pumasok sa Final Four, we have to win this game,” said Malabanan.

Renz Villegas led the Pirates with 12 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Jonathan Daileg and Mac Guadaña chipped in with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

John Bravo made a successful return for LPU after collapsing on the court due to a head collision during their game against Arellano University on Oct. 19.

He tallied two points and grabbed seven rebounds, including a crucial offensive board late in the fourth quarter that helped extend the Pirates’ lead to 67-60.

“Sa lahat ng games namin this season, ito pinaka special sakin. Hindi dahil sa nanalo kami, pero kumpleto kami naglaro ngayon. First time namin nakumpleto na naglaro na lahat ng players ko are healthy,” Malabanan said.

LPU looks to secure a second consecutive Final Four appearance against Benilde at 12 noon tomorrow.

Harvey Pagsanjan paced the Generals with 16 points and seven rebounds, while King Gurtiza added 14 points, six boards, and four assists.

EAC plays Jose Rizal University at 2:30 p.m. also on Friday. The Generals’ fate will depend on the result of the earlier Pirates-Blazers contest.

The scores:

First game

LPU (74) – Villegas 12, Daileg 11, Guadaña 10, Barba 9, Versoza 9, Cunanan 8, Peñafiel 5, Aviles 4, Montaño 2, Bravo 2, Moralejo 2, Panelo 0, Paulo 0, Pallingayan 0, Gordon 0.
EAC (65) – Pagsanjan 16, Gurtiza 14, Lucero 8, Bagay 7, Quinal 5, Loristo 5, Oftana 4, Luciano 4, Umpad 2, Ochavo 0, Jacob 0, Doromal 0, Bacud 0.
Quarterscores: 20-16, 30-27, 43-45, 74-65

Second game

Perpetual (86) – Boral 22, Abis 15, Gelsano 14, Gojo Cruz 14, Pagaran 11, Montemayor 5, Nuñez 3, Pizarro 2, Manuel 0, Cauguiran 0, Thompson 0, Sevilla 0.
JRU (82) – Argente 18, Guiab 17, Pangilinan 11, Raymundo 8, Sarmiento 8, Lozano 6, Samontanes 6, Barrera 4, De Jesus 2, Panapanaan 2, Ferrer 0, Bernardo 0, De Leon 0.
Quarterscores: 22-28, 39-56, 57-68, 86-82.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado