Renzo Navarro came up big in the clutch to steer Lyceum of the Philippines University to a 70-66 squeaker over Arellano University and improve its play-in chances in the NCAA Season 97 on Friday.
Down 63-64 in the dying moments of the game, the gutsy guard drilled a triple that gave them a 66-64 cushion with 53.4 seconds left to spare.
He then nailed another basket for a 68-66 advantage before a pair of free throws from him sealed the deal for the Pirates.
Navarro scored all 10 of his points in the fourth quarter of the game. Aside from scoring, he dished out a game-high seven assists.
Leading the way for the Pirates was Enoch Valdez, who posted 17 points on 7-for-12 (58.3-percent) shooting and five rebounds. McLaude Guadana also came up big, scoring 12 points off the bench.
Lyceum improved to 2-5 while Arellano, who was fresh off a loss to San Beda University last Sunday, slid to 2-5.
Led by the 6-foot-7 Justin Arana, who was already had a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds in the first half, the Chiefs were able to establish a 23-14 lead to open the second.
The Pirates, however, ignited for an 8-0 run to cut their deficit to just one, 22-23, before Arellano countered with a 16-7 barrage to close out the half for a comfortable 39-29 cushion.
Lyceum continued trying to snatch away the momentum from Arellano, even taking the lead, 48-47, after John Barba completed a three-point play chance. The frame ended with Arellano holding on to a slim 49-48 lead.
The Pirates opened the fourth quarter with a furious 8-0 barrage led by big man Shawn Umali, 49-56, but the duo of Arana and Jordan Sta. Ana conspired to tie things up at 58 with 3:21 left.
Gelo Sablan had the chance to tie the game at 68-all but he missed both his charities.
Arana finished with monster numbers of 17 points, 24 rebonds, and four blocks, but that was somehow not enough in this one.
Jordan Sta Ana added 15 markers and Maui Cruz chipped in 12 for the Chiefs.
Both teams return to action on Sunday with Arellano going up against Emilio Aguinaldo College while Lyceum tackles University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
The scores:
LPU 70 - Valdez 17, Guadana 12, Navarro 10, Umali 6, Barba 5, Cunanan 5, Guinto, 5, Remulla 4, Bravo 4, Larupay 2, Silvarez 0, Garro 0, Jabel 0.
Arellano 66 - Arana 17, Sta Ana 14, Cruz 12, Sablan 10, Oliva 6, Doromal 5, Carandang 5, Talampas 0, Caballero 0, Uri 0.
Quarters: 14-21, 29-38, 48-48, 70-66.
—JMB, GMA News
