The Pirates deliver against the Heavy Bombers.
NCAA/GMA photo
Pirates down Bombers
LYCEUM of the Philippines University broke a three-way tie for fourth spot in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, securing a narrow 82-80 victory over Jose Rizal University yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Pirates completed a head-to-head elimination round sweep of the Heavy Bombers, winning also in a close contest, 97-92, in the first round courtesy of John Barba’s late-game heroics.
“Honestly, I expected that naman kasi I respect coach Louie (Gonzalez) and JRU and their staff. Siyempre sumali tayo sa liga na ito, expect natin ang unexpected. Hindi tayo puwede mag
kumpiyansa porket wala na sila [sa Final Four race] but again, all the teams are fighting for the win eh, hindi naman for the position but for the win,” said LPU coach Gilbert Malabanan.
The victory, the eighth in 16 games, boosted the Pirates bid to secure one of two remaining spots in the Final Four.
LPU moved half-a-game ahead of Emilio Aguinaldo College and one game of Letran, which absorbed a 78-83 loss to College of Saint Benilde.
The Pirates and the Generals are set to clash with their Final Four hopes on the line on Tuesday.
Renz Villegas and Gyle Montaño led LPU with 18 points apiece, while Simon Peñafiel contributed 10 points.
The Blazers drew 20 points and eight rebounds from Allen Liwag to move closer in bagging a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four with their 13th win in 15 games.
Justine Sanchez stepped up for Benilde with 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Mark Sangco chipped in 11 points, five boards and three assists.
Pau Javillonar had 31 points built around eight triples for the Knights, who fell to sixth spot at 7-9.
Joshua Guiab shot 27 points as Shawn Argente, one of the Bombers’ top guns, struggled from the field, shooting just 1-of-11 and finishing with three points.
With a 4-12 record, JRU’s Final Four bid has come to an end.
The scores:
First game
LPU (82) – Barba 20, Villegas 18, Montaño 18, Peñafiel 10, Cunanan 4, Aviles 4, Versoza 4, Guadaña 3, Daileg 1, Moralejo 0, Panelo 0
JRU (80) – Guiab 27, De Jesus 14, Pangilinan 10, Barrera 9, Raymundo 8, Sarmiento 4, Argente 3, Ferrer 3, Bernardo 2, Mosqueda 0, De Leon 0, Lozano 0, Panapanaan 0, Samontanes 0.
Quarterscores: 23-21, 47-38, 64-61, 82-80
Second game
Benilde (83) – Liwag 20, Sanchez 16, Sangco 11, Ynot 7, Torres 7, Ancheta 7, Eusebio 7, Ondoa 6, Morales 2, Oli 0, Cometa 0, Cajucom 0.
Letran (78) – Javillonar 31, Estrada 13, Cuajao 10, Montecillo 9, Miller 6, Nunag 5, Monje 4, Delfino 0, Pradella 0, Jumao-os 0, Dimaano 0.
Quarterscores: 15-27, 47-37, 62-54, 83-78.
