Lyceum of the Philippines overcame a gritty San Sebastian College-Recoletos squad to win the first NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball play-in game, 70-63, Tuesday at Filoil Arena in San Juan.
Refusing to let this game against the Golden Stags be his last, graduating swingman John Barba erupted for 22 points while also chipping in three assists and three rebounds.
Michael Versoza and Jonathan Daileg’s production off the bench were also key today, scoring 14 markers and grabbing seven boards each to help the Pirates enter the NCAA playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
As expected from two teams hoping to keep their season alive, only three points separated the schools entering the final quarter, 50-47. Notably, the Pirates held San Sebastian to only five points in the third canto.
During the first few minutes of the fourth, both squads continued to throw haymakers, trading a couple of important three-point baskets to keep the score even, 57-57.
However, LPU coach Gilbert Malabanan’s men showed their postseason experience down the stretch, going on a 11-3 run–highlighted by a Daileg triple–to stretch their lead to eight with 43 seconds left, 68-60.
Humble in victory, Malabanan first gave his praises to San Sebastian coach Rob Labagala for showing heart this whole season.
“I really want to credit Coach Rob Labagala for doing a great job dito sa San Sebastian. Talagang binago niya talaga yung sistema and ang ganda naman talaga ng ipinakita ng San Sebastian,” Malabanan said.
With the possibility of today being their last hurrah, Malabanan also credited his troops for showing the want to fight another gameday.
“Sabi ko sa players ko na we dedicate this game doon sa mga graduating players natin. Sabi ko, ‘Kung gusto ninyong mag-practice bukas, eh, laruin na natin, 'di ba?"
LPU hope to carry their resilient play when they test their mettle against number one-seeded San Beda University on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
On the other hand, Jhuniel Dela Rama and Jose Lumanag paced the Golden Stags with 17 and 15 points, respectively, with Dela Rama also crashing the glass and finishing with 15 rebounds.
WATCH:
The scores:
LPU 70 - Barba 22, Daileg 14, Versoza 14, Villegas 10, Montaño 3, Peñafiel 3, Aviles 2, Moralejo 2, Abregana 0, Casiño 0, Fuentes 0, Matienzo 0, Pallingayan 0.
SSC-R 63 - Dela Rama 17, Lumanag 15, Cabilla 11, Gabat 6, Ricio 5, Castor 4, Felebrico 3, Cuajao 0, Nepacena 0.
Quarter scores: 20-21, 38-42, 50-47, 70-63.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
