JC Marcelino made heads turn when he wore opposite-colored shoes to spice up his mood.
And it did as the Lyceum Pirates nearly squandered a 31-point lead but survived a big rally, pulling off a 106-97 stopping of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals yesterday at the Arena in San Juan.
Marcelino gave the Pirates the needed firepower to pull off their second straight win in the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
“Big lead kami nang 31 points, tapos naging tatlo na lang. Kaya sa susunod, ‘di na mangyayari ulit iyun. Kaya pinagpursigihan namin, nagtrabaho sa loob para ibalik ang lamang at maipanalo ang laro,” said Marcelino, who borrowed his younger twin Jayvee’s black Nike shoe to complement his white midcut cleat on his right foot.
The Pirates, who drew 24 points and 8 rebounds from Marcelino, lost Mike Nzeusseu to five fouls as the Generals leaned on the big games of Hamadou Laminou and Jerome Garcia to fight their way out of a 31-point deficit.
“I just reminded the boys that EAC practices, too. That game is a big experience for us. And it would have been a disaster if we did not get back to our senses,” said Pirates’ coach Topex Robinson.
The 5’8” Marcelino struck with 12 points in the final period, stepping up his game right after Nzeusseu fouled out in the last 7:19 and with EAC within range, 83-88, off Laminou’s freebies.
Laminou finished with 34 points, banging in 12 in the third period to lead the Generals out of a 41-72 deficit and to within seven points, 70-77, off a triple from Garcia, who made 20.
Jethro Mendoza tallied 13 points for the Generals, with his triple and Garcia’s driving shot in the dying seconds of the third allowing EAC to threaten, 77-80.
The Pirates found a chance to move away in the fourth after CJ Perez knocked in two free throws and Marcelino unloaded a trey, 86-79, with 8:53 remaining.
The Generals lost Laminou to five fouls in the last 4:30 and Marcelino shoved Lyceum ahead with his split charity, 98-86.
In another senior game, Michael Calisaan scattered 18 points and hauled down 10 rebounds, while Regille Ilagan added 16 as the San Sebastian Stags won over the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 85-78.
Allyn Bulanadi contributed 16 points for the Stags, who notched their first win in two games.
In the junior division, the defending champion La Salle Greenhills Greenies banked on the inside game of Batang Gilas cager RC Calimag in the final minute of the second period to move away and crush the San Sebastian Staglets, 93-80.
Joel Cagulangan went on to topscore with 20 points and lead the Greenies to their first win.
“The boys have started forming up and playing better in their second game,” said Greenies’ coach Marvin Bienvenida.
The Lyceum Junior Pirates, getting 22 points from John Barba, prevailed over the EAC-ICA Brigadiers, 74-63, for their first win in three games.