Pirates outgun Blazers
LYCEUM of the Philippines University downed College of Saint Benilde, 84-81, yesterday to reclaim a share of the lead with Mapua in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Jearlan Omandac, a sophomore from Tagum, Davao del Norte, buried a pair of clutch three-pointers late in helping power the Pirates to their fifth straight win and 11th overall in 14 outings and back at the helm alongside the Cardinals.
“Tiwala sa sarili ko na kahit na puro mintis sa first half, tiwala ako papasok,” said the 6-foot-5 Omandac.
While heaping praise on Omandac, coach Gilbert Malabanan said the biggest key was LPU’s defense.
“Our priority is defense. Hindi kami makakashoot kung wala kami stops,” said Malabanan.
Later, Jun Roque was on fire from start to finish, finishing with 19 points, as University of Perpetual Help System Dalta kept its Final Four bid alive with a 61-57 win over San Beda.
Instead of tying LPU in second place, Benilde suddenly found itself two games behind the joint leaders at 9-5 in solo third.
Roque willed the Altas to their seventh triumph in as many losses that kept them alive in the semis race.
It also avenged a heartbreaking 62-60 defeat to San Beda last Oct. 17 that still rankled entering their game.
But Perpetual came with a mission, took the win and soothed its aching hearts.
The Red Lions absorbed their fifth defeat against eight wins but still kept its place in the magic four.
But it may not last as several team are already hot on San Beda’s trail including these inspired Altas.
