Lyceum of the Philippines University bucked a slow start to whip Jose Rizal University, 82-75, and grab its breakthrough win in the NCAA Season 97 on Wednesday at the La Salle Green Hills Gym.
Lyceum improved to 1-3 following three early losses to open the season while JRU sank to a 0-4 hole to become the only winless team in the field.
Enoch Valdez led the Lyceum rally with a huge double-double of 21 points, eight of which came in the final stretch, to go along with 12 rebounds and five steals while Mclaude Guadana had 14 markers, three assists, and two boards.
The Heavy Bombers first waxed hot right from the get-go as the backcourt duo of Jason Celis and JL Delos Santos helped them double up on Lyceum at the end of one, 24-12, with Celis racking up 11 points in the frame alone.
Lyceum then got its momentum going in the second quarter with Mclaude Guadana unleashing 10 markers as they tied the game at 33-apiece, but JRU countered with a 7-5 run as they held a slim 40-38 halftime cushion.
Eager to end their slump, the Pirates started to pile up on points in the third with a Yancy Remulla basket handing LPU the first taste of the lead, 46-45. JRU, though, turned to Celis again as the period ended in a stalemate, 61-61.
A layup bucket from Delos Santos proved to be crucial as JRU regained the lead, 73-72, with 2:54 left in the game, but LPU responded with a crucial 10-2 blitz to close out the game, 82-75.
Celis tallied 24 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals while Delos Santos carved out 14 markers, six boards, five dimes, and a steal in the losing cause.
LPU will next face San Sebastian College-Recoletos on Sunday while JRU's next task will be against Emilio Aguinaldo College on Saturday.
The scores:
—JMB, GMA News
