Unbeaten Lyceum Pirates out to take record to 15-0
CHANNELING THE unstoppable to date in Season 93 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Lyceum Pirates go for their 15th win in as many outings when they collide with steadily climbing San Sebastian Stags today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Part of the scheduled end-ofweek triple- header, the Pirates shoot for another victory in their 4 p. m. encounter with season hosts Stags that would take them another step closer to completing a rare sweep of the elimination round in the country’ longeststanding collegiate league that would, in turn, translate to an outright finals berth.
The latest of Lyceum’s victories came at the expense of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 86-74, last Tuesday where it showed quiet dominance anew.
Skipper MJ Ayaay led the balanced attack of the Pirates with 15 points and nine rebounds followed by CJ Perez with 13 and Jaycee Marcelino 11 points.
Three other players scored seven points or more for Lyceum in a game that it took control of from start to finish.
“The [sweep] is there in front of us and from here moving forward every game is going to be tough and crucial. We still have to continue working on our game and improving because even if we sweep the elimination round it does not guarantee a championship outright,” said Lyceum coach Topex Robinson following their recent victory as he set things in perspective for them.
ASCENDING STAGS
Having won three of their last four games, the Stags, for their part, hope to use it as a springboard to possibly derail Lyceum’s quest of completing a sweep.
“Every team wants to be that one team to beat Lyceum and prevent a sweep. But the thing is you have to go out and do it. You cannot expect to win against them if you do not work hard for it. Lyceum has a deep bench and everybody is contributing so you have to outwork them if you are to beat them,” said Stags coach Egay Macaraya when asked for his thoughts on their game against the Pirates, who beat them, 78-73, in the first round.
“We are just going to work hard and do our best against them. Our goal is to enter the Final Four and we are going to take every opportunity given to us and hopefully beat Lyceum,” he added.
In their last game, the Stags defeated rivals Letran Knights, 95- 64, which had them firing from all cylinders and dominant.
Guard Jayson David paced the Stags with 17 points while Allyn Bulanadi had 16 and Michael Calisaan 13.
Meanwhile, other NCAA games on tap today are those between the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers ( 7- 6) and Perpetual Help Altas (4-8) at 12 noon and Letran (7-7) versus EAC (6-8) at 2 p.m.
All four teams are coming off losses in their previous assignments and are looking to bounce back. —