NCAA: Lyceum’s Mbida returns to help Pirates shoot down Letran Knights

A reinforced Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates team compounded the early misery of the College of Letran Knights, as they held off their foes, 74-70, on Friday for its first win of the season in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

With one of their Cameroonian reinforcements, Guy Mbida, surprisingly back in the fold and Jeremiah Taldua now healthy from a viral infection, the Pirates bucked an early deficit before showing steely resolve down the stretch.

The Pirates thus notched their first win, after dropping their first assignment against the Arellano University Chiefs, while dealing the Knights, last year’s runner-up, their second successive defeat.

“It’s all about mental toughness,” Pirates coach Bonnie Tan said. “Medyo nagkulang kami sa rotation before, pero ngayon hindi na kasi yung two players natin, bumalik na.”

But it was Dexter Zamora who shone brightest with 16 points, including 11 in the second quarter where the Pirates turned the game around.

The Pirates suddenly activated Mbida after initially dropping him from the lineup over what Tan said were “demands.” - Karlo Sacamos, SPIN


The scores:

LPU 74 - Zamora 16, Mbbida 15, Baltazar 15, Ko 10, Bulawan 6, Gabayni 5, Soliman 3, Taladua 2, Maconocido 2, Pamulaklakin 0, Lesmoras 0, Elmejrab 0

CSJL 70 - Racal 13, Gabawan 11, Singontiko 11, Publico 11, Cruz 6, Quinto 5, Luib 3, Nambatac 2, Dela Peña 2, Tambeling 2, Ruaya 2, Castro 2, Calvo 0, Apreku 0

Quarter scoring: 13-21, 39-35, 55-52, 74-70