MANILA, Philippines — Lyceum of the Philippines University outlasted Jose Rizal, 77-64, yesterday to seal the No. 2 seed and a potential twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four on the 95th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Jaycee Marcelino erupted for 23 points while Mike Nzeusseu powered his way to a double-double effort with 15 points and 10 rebounds in lifting the Pirates to their 13th victory against four defeats while assuring themselves of the important semifinal incentive.
But for LPU to enjoy the twice-to-beat advantage, it has to beat undefeated league-leader San Beda in their much-anticipated showdown Thursday.
A win by San Beda (17-0) will clinch the Lions an outright spot to the best-of-three finals by virtue of a sweep while sending LPU in a stepladder semis among the teams ranked second, third and fourth teams. In this scenario, the twice-to-beat advantage will not take effect.
“More than anything else, we just want to build momentum entering the final stretch. That is how we will approach our Thursday game,” said LPU coach Topex Robinson.
The Bombers dropped to 4-12.
Earlier, Letran relied on an explosive second-quarter performance as it routed Perpetual Help, 88-69, to clinch the third Final Four berth with an 11-6 record.
With San Beda, LPU and Letran already secured of Final Four seats, it will be up for San Sebastian (9-7), Mapua (8-8) and St. Benilde (7-9) to fight it out for the fourth and last slot.
Leading by just six after the opening quarter, 22-16, the troika of Fran Yu, Christian Balagasay and Jerick Balanza combined for 22 of the Knights’ 28 second-quarter points in helping build a 50-30 lead at the break.
The Knights never looked back from there.
The Scores:
First Game
Letran 88 – Balanza 18, Balagasay 18, Ular 17, Yu 14, Batiller 6, Caralipio 6, Ambohot 3, Mina 3, Reyson 2, Muyang 1, Pambid 0, Guarino 0, Javillonar 0, Sangalang 0
Perpetual 69 – Charcos 15, Razon 15, Peralta 13, Aurin 11, Adamos 10, Guissani 5, Barasi 0, Tamayo 0, Martel 0, Cuevas 0, Lanoy 0, Sevilla 0, Lucero 0
Quarterscores: 22-16; 50-30; 68-53; 88-69
Second Game
LPU 77 – Marcelino, Jc. 23, Nzeusseu 15, Tansingco 10, Caduyac 9, David 6, Santos 6, Marcelino, Jv. 5, Ibanez 3, Navarro 0, Yong 0, Remulla 0
Jose Rizal 64 – Delos Santos 19, Aguilar 16, Miranda 10, Dela Rosa 9, Amores 6, Dionisio 2, Vasquez 2, Arenal 0, Jungco 0
Quarterscores: 15-14; 43-33; 57-47; 77-64
Third Game
EAC 77 – Gonzales 13, De Guzman 12, Mendoza 11, Maguliano 8, Gurtiza 8, Taywan 7, Martin 6, Carlos 4, Boffa 2, Corilla 2, Dayrit 2, Luciano 2, Cadua 0, Estacio 0
Arellano 50 – Salado 14, Arana 13, Espiritu 7, Sablan 5, Bayla 4, Oliva 4, Gayosa 3, Alcoriza 0, Concepcion 0, De Guzman 0, Sacramento 0, Segura 0, Sunga 0, Talampas 0
Quarterscores: 16-15; 36-27; 63-40; 77-50