This early, the Lyceum Pirates’ 70-69 upset of the defending champion Letran Knights won’t mean much.
Lyceum coach Gilbert Malabanan said this as the Pirates took the early lead with their second straight win the 99th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
There are many more games ahead of them, and Malabanan hopes that the Pirates can build a winning streak, and gain momentum when they clash with the University of Perpetual Help Altas on Saturday.
“We’re happy that we’re on top, but we don’t stop and hindi pa naman ‘to ‘yung goal namin. Malayo pa kami sa goal namin and I don’t want na mag-relax kami because of that win,” said Malabanan.
The Pirates and Altas will meet at 4 p.m. at the FilOil-EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
“That win (over Letran) means nothing kasi wala pa naman kaming napapatunayan,” added Malabanan.
Earlier, the San Beda Red Lions and the Mapua University Cardinals will seek to catch up with the Pirates when they clash at 4 p.m. Friday.
Last Tuesday, the Red Lions pummeled the Arellano University Chiefs, 85-61, while the Cardinals prevailed over the San Sebastian Stags, 80-70.
The College of St. Benilde Blazers and the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers will collide at 2 p.m.