Lyceum goes for first-round NCAA sweep
HAVING it solid in Season 93 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Lyceum Pirates try to take it a notch higher by completing a sweep of their first-round assignments when they trek back to the hard court today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Currently sporting a leagueleading 8-0 card, the Intramuros-based Pirates look to make it 9-of-9 when they collide with the tail-ending Mapua Cardinals (16) in the scheduled 2 p.m. game while at the same time underscore some more their status as a legit title contender in the current season of the country’s longest-standing collegiate league.
Preceding the contest is the match between the College of St. Benilde Blazers ( 2- 6) and Arellano Chiefs (2-5) at 12 noon while the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals ( 3- 5) take on the Perpetual Help Altas in the final seniors play of the day at 4 p.m.
Lyceum’s latest victory came last Friday over erstwhile streaking Letran Knights, 75-68, and it did so with coach Topex Robinson not on the sidelines as he served his one- game league suspension for getting ejected in their previous game.
Cameroonian Mike Nzeusseu stepped up big for the Pirates in the payoff period against Letran as they overhauled what was a commanding 17-point lead by the Knights en route to the victory.
The Lyceum big man poured most of his 13 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks in the final canto to frustrate their opponents.
CJ Perez top- scored for Lyceum with 14 points while JC Marcelino and Reymar Caduyac scored 13 and 12 points, respectively, in the win.
“I kept challenging him (Nzeusseu) to play more aggressive because Letran was getting tired,” said Lyceum assistant coach Jeff Perlas, who temporarily took over for Mr. Robinson, of Nzesseu’s showing in the payoff period.
The coach went on to give credit to his wards for showing composure even when things were not going their way early in the contest.
“I kept reminding them about composure and I’m happy the team showed it in the end,” said Mr. Perlas.
Out to thwart Lyceum in its push for a spotless first round are the Cardinals, who have lost in their last five games.
Atoy Co- coached Mapua has been having a hard time soaring in NCAA Season 93 with a lone victory to show for so far — a buzzer-beating victory over Letran in its second game.
The recent loss by the Cardinals was dealt by the defending champions San Beda Red Lions, 66-55, on Aug. 11 in a game that saw Mapua struggle sans recognized leader Andoy Estrella, who is out with an MCL (medial collateral ligament) injury.
Just the same, the Cardinals vowed to continue playing and give their all as the tournament moves along.