CAMEROONIAN Mike Nzeusseu knocked in three charities in the last 12.7 seconds to lift the Lyceum Pirates to a historic 107-105 double-overtime win over defending champion San Beda Red Lions Thursday at The Arena in San Juan.
The 6’6” Nzeusseu’s endgame efforts enabled the Pirates to complete an 18-game, elimination-round sweep that put Lyceum into its first-ever finals’ appearance in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
Fans and supporters cheered wildly after Nzeusseu sank only one of two gift shots off Robert Bolick Jr.’s foul in the last 2.8 seconds, but it proved enough cushion to win the game for the Pirates.
Two of Nzeusseu’s freebies came in the last 12.7 seconds off Arnaud Noah’s foul, allowing the Pirates to overtake the Red Lions for the last time, 106-105.
As Nzeusseu finished with 27 points and 21 rebounds, students and alumni gave the Pirates a standing ovation as they matched the Red Lions’ 18-game winning streak back in 2010.
“The courage is there. They just want to keep on playing. They just want to keep on grinding. I don’t know, I was just relaxed. I just told them to keep on playing. CJ (Perez) was struggling at the start. And I just trusted this guy. He’s gonna make mistakes, which was normal, but I know I could count on him, I could count on Mike, on (Jesper) Ayaay and the twins. And I’m just happy we’re there (finals),” said Pirates’ coach Topex Robinson.
Donald Tankoua, who fouled out in the last 19.8 seconds of regulation, tallied 34 points for the Red Lions, who finished the second round with a 16-2 win-loss record in second spot.
Bolick’s driving shot past Nzeusseu with 1:27 left allowed San Beda to take the upperhand for the last time, 105-103.
Because of the sweep, a stepladder semifinal playoffs for the second finals berth will take place.
First, it will be among the Arellano University Chiefs, the San Sebastian Stags and the Letran Knights. The three share a 9-9 win-loss record and are seeking the last Final Four seat.
Nzeusseu’s driving shot with 1:42 to go in regulation tied the contest at 85-all.
Bolick eked out 16 points and sent the match into a second extension at 97-all with his split charity off Jesper Ayaay’s foul in the remaining 1.4 seconds.
The game went into overtime after CJ Perez and Ayaay bungled their three-point attempts in the remaining time and baskets from Franz Abuda and Davon Pott missed their mark as time winded down.
In the junior division, Evan Nelle made 20 points, including a three-point shot in the last 1:08 to carry the San Beda Red Cubs to an 83-80 win over the Lyceum Junior Pirates.
His triple gave the the Red Cubs a 78-70 cushion and enough time to endure the Junior Pirates late rally.
With Ain Obenza hitting 19 points, the Red Cubs finished their eliminations sharing the same 13-5 win-loss record with the defending champion Malayan Red Robins.