For the second straight season, the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates are in strong contention again for the Final Four semifinals.
On Friday, the Pirates showed how deep their bench can get in the 99th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
Three of their key players, Enoch Valdez, John Barba, and McLaude Guadana were not in tip-top shape when they pulled the Pirates pulled off a hard-earned 86-82 triumph over the Mapua University Cardinals at the FilOil-EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
But a crew from the second unit–Patrick Montano, Shawn Umali, John Bravo, and Vince Cunanan–came to the forefront, and with their big games, the Pirates were able to take three wins in a row.
With Montano scoring a game-high 18 points, Lyceum was able to post its ninth win in 12 games, to tie its victim, the Mapua Cardinals, at the overall leadership of the tournament.
“Hopefully, ma-sustain namin ito hanggang dulo. Kasi, siyempre, meron din kaming goal. And I want that goal to happen,” said Lyceum coach Gilbert Malabanan.
The win allowed the Pirates to recover from their loss to Mapua in their first-round encounter, 83-87.
Montano’s good game came with Valdez, who was still recovering from flu, Barba still getting back in shape from a sprained ankle, and Guadana’s right shoulder still needing enough rest.
“They still have a problem, healthwise. But I give credit to Montano for stepping up,” added Malabanan.
Montano, a sophomore, is in his fourth year with the school, having spent his first two years with the Lyceum Junior Pirates.
He first came into the picture when Montano unloaded a trey with 36 seconds left in the second quarter and handed Lyceum a 46-40 lead before the first half ended.
At the start of the second half, Montano banged in two more out of three scored in the last 8:11, and the Pirates went on to enjoy a 57-40 spread afterward.
“Iyung dating laro niya, nawala last year. Ang tagal kong hinahanap yung laro niya, ngayon ko lang uli nakita ito,” said Malabanan.