Omar Larupay showed great composure down the stretch as Lyceum of the Philippines University survived a stiff challenge from San Beda University, 81-80, in NCAA Season 98 on Wednesday.
Larupay delivered several baskets in the clutch, none bigger than a short stab off an Enzo Navarro pass that put the Pirates ahead with 5.3 seconds left on the clock.
A defensive stop on the other end allowed Lyceum to repeat over the Red Lions and pick up their 10th win against only five losses. San Beda, meanwhile, dropped to 9-5.
Larupay finished with 15 points, nine of those in the fourth quarter, alongside seven rebounds to lead LPU.
Navarro added 10 points, four rebounds, and seven assists while JM Bravo chipped in with 10 markers as well.
With the two teams separated by only five points at the end of the penultimate period, San Beda tried to create a bigger gap with Yukien Andrada and James Kwekuteye firing a triple each for a 70-62 lead early in the fourth.
But with Larupay and John Barba leading a Lyceum comeback attempt, the Pirates were able to slice the deficit to three, 74-71.
Navarro then fired a huge triple right at the two-minute mark before Larupay made a game-tying basket, 78-all, with 1:14 left.
Tony Ynot then drove to the rim for a layup for an 80-79 cushion with 15 ticks left before Larupay recaptured the lead for Lyceum, leaving a handful of seconds on the clock.
Gab Cometa and Justine Sanchez had the chance to win it for San Beda but they missed out on their last bucket and putback attempt, respectively.
San Beda held a 45-41 halftime lead with JB Bahio and Ynot conniving with 10 and nine points, respectively.
The streaking Red Lions, though, couldn’t pull away as they ended the third holding on to a slim 62-57.
Bahio had 15 points and 10 rebound to lead San Beda.
The scores:
Lyceum 81 - Larupay 15, Navarro 10, Bravo 10, Guadana 9, Umali 9, Valdez 8, Montano 6, Barba 6, Villegas 4, Penafiel 4, Cunanan 0.
San Beda 80 - Bahio 15, Cometa 14, Ynot 13, Andrada 11, Kwekuteye 10, Cuntapay 8, Penuela 5, Sanchez 4, Alfaro 0, Visser 0, Cortez 0, Payosing 0, Llarena 0.
Quarters: 13-20, 41-45, 57-62, 81-80.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
