Pirates outlast Lions in 2OT for historic sweep, outright finals berth

Game Friday

(Filoil Arena, San Juan)

3:30 p.m. – Arellano vs Letran (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines – Lyceum of the Philippines University showed incredible grit and composure as it pulled off an epic 107-105 double-overtime victory over San Beda to complete a historic elimination round sweep and barge straight to the finals in the 93rd NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City Thursday.

Cameroonian Mike Nzeusseu and CJ Perez came through in the second OT period to give the Pirates a perfect 18-0 (win-loss) slate and an automatic spot to the best-of-three finals next month.

The loss, meanwhile, sent the Lions at No. 2 and waiting for its potential opponent in the unpredictable stepladder semifinals.

Nzeusseu powered his way to 27 points and 21 rebounds while Perez bucked a sloppy start and finished with 20 points he spiked with six rebounds, six assists and four steals.

It was also Nzeusseu who scored the basket late in regulation to force the first OT.

“There were times that we’re down but they just don’t want to give up. It’s a testament of this team working together as a solid group,” said LPU coach Topex Robinson.

LPU thus became the first team to sweep the eliminations since San Beda did the same trick seven years ago when the latter went 16-0 and eventually swept its way to the crown.

Interestingly, LPU came on board the year after.

And now the Pirates are on the cusp of history.

“We’ll just try to keep on improving because we know it’s not over yet,” said Robinson.

San Beda’s Cameroonian reinforcement Donald Tankoua outscored Nzeusseu and fired a game-high 34 points.

In the end, it was Nzeusseu who had the last laugh as Tankoua fouled out late in the first OT.

The Lions had a chance to steal the game but Robert Bolick split his charities instead of knocking down both to force another OT.

Bolick tried to redeem himself in second OT and scored a high-looping banking shot over the outstretch arms of Nzeusseu to give San Beda a 105-103 lead with 1.25 minutes remaining.

It turned out San Beda’s last as LPU shut the former down while draining four of six from the line.

The scores:

First Game

LPU 107 – Nzeusseu 27, Perez 20, Marcelino JC 9, Caduyac 9, Pretta 8, Santos 8, Ayaay 7, Baltazar 6, Serrano 6, Marcelino JV 4, Ibanez 1

SAN BEDA 105 – Tankoua 34, Bolick 16, Mocon 14, Doliguez 13, Abuda 8, Presbitero 6, Soberano 5, Noah 4, Oftana 3, Cabanag 2, Potts 0, Bahio 0, Adamos 0

QUARTER SCORES: 25-22, 56-46, 70-69, 85-85, 97-97 (1OT), 107-105 (2OT)