MANILA – Jonathan Daileg caught fire in the fourth quarter as Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates scored a 74-65 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan.
The rookie forward connected all of his 11 points in the fourth quarter as the Pirates surged to solo fourth place in the standings with a 9-8 win-loss slate and move closer to sealing a Final Four seat.
Renz Villegas and MacLaude Guadana chipped in 12 and 10 markers, respectively, while John Bravo contributed two points, seven rebounds, and one assist in his return to the Lyceum lineup.
Pirates head coach Gilbert Malabanan said in a post-game presser that this game against the Generals was special for him since this is the first time that they are in full strength this season.
“Sa lahat ng naging games namin this season, ito ang pinaka-special sa akin, hindi dahil nanalo kami, kundi dahil for the first time, kumpleto kami,” Malabanan said. “‘Yun naman ang gusto natin bilang head coach, na makumpleto kami.”
Harvey Pagsanjan finished with 16 points, while King Gurtiza added 14 markers as the General dropped to an 8-9 win-loss card.
Meanwhile, Christian Pagaran converted crucial shots in the endgame as University of Perpetual Help Altas scored an 86-82 victory over Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers.
Down by as many as 21 points in the first half, the Altas slowly clawed their way back to take the lead at 78-76 on back-to-back inside conversions from Pagaran with over a minute left.
The Heavy Bombers tied the score at 78-all on a basket by Joshua Guiab, but a three-pointer by John Boral and three free throws from rookie Mark Gojo Cruz surged the Altas ahead at 84-79.
JRU made their last push at 82-84 via a top-of-the key three-pointer from Guiab before Perpetual Help got two free throws from Gojo Cruz to end their season on a winning note.
Pagaran finished the match with 11 points, four steals, three rebounds, and two assists as the Altas concluded the NCAA’s centennial season with seven victories in 18 matches./PN
