MANILA – Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates got their three-point shots to fall when it mattered the most to stun University of Perpetual Help Altas, 64-62, in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Down 57-62 with under a minute left, the Pirates got a corner three-pointer from John Barba to cut the deficit to 60-62 before taking a 63-62 advantage on a triple by John Moralejo with six seconds left.
After a missed attempt from Altas’ Cedrick Abis with less than a second remaining in the contest, the Pirates sealed their come-from-behind win via a split free throw by Renz Villegas.
Villegas led the way for the Pirates with 18 points to go with seven steals, five rebounds, and three assists; Jonathan Daileg added 10 markers, while Moralejo ended with eight as they improved to a 4-4 win-loss slate.
“It was a total team effort,” Villegas said after the game. “Pinakita lang namin na gusto naming makabawi mula dun sa talo namin (90-88 against the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals last Sunday).”
Mark Gojo Cruz finished with 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Negrense Shawn Orgo chipped in 13 markers as the Altas dropped to a 4-4 win-loss record.
Meanwhile, Mapua University Cardinals (6-2) got timely conversions from reigning MVP Clint Escamis in the endgame to score a 77-71 victory over Arellano University Chiefs (2-6).
With the Chiefs threatening to be within 71-72 with 38 seconds left, Escamis scored on a layup to widen the edge to 74-71 before Chris Hubilla and Escamis combined for three free throws to seal the win for the Cardinals.
Escamis and Hubilla led the way for the Cardinals with 15 markers apiece, while Marc Cuenco contributed 10 markers as they captured their third consecutive win./PN
