THE Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates, who last had a perfect elimination round record six years ago, is still far from duplicating what they did in that Season 93.
But the Pirates hope to remain unbeaten when they play their fourth game against the San Sebastian Stags at 4 p.m. Tuesday when the 99th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament resumes at the FilOil-EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
The Pirates have shown the depth of their bench in each of the three games that they have won, with JM Bravo, John Barba, Enoch Valdez, and Shawn Umali impressing their opponents on separate occasions.
Coach Gilbert Malabanan said the team’s unpredictability and depth have so far given them a good start.
“’Yung sinabi ko last season hanggang ngayon, my team is very unpredictable. Hindi mo talaga alam sinong puputok sa team na ito,” Malabanan said after the Pirates got away with a 76-73 beating of the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 76-73.
Earlier, the Perpetual Help Altas will seek their first win when they play the Arellano University Chiefs at 2 p.m.
In their last game, it was Vince Cunanan’s turn to shine.
He scored only seven points, but he sank two winning charities in the last seven seconds for the Pirates in their stirring win over the Altas.