By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE Lyceum Pirates notched a rare sweep of the elimination round in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) yesterday, defeating the defending champions San Beda Red Lions, 107-105, in double overtime and earned a direct trip to the finals for Season 93.

Going 18-0 in the two-round classification phase of the country’s longest-standing collegiate league, the Pirates, who joined the league in 2011, have booked a bye in the semifinals and will wait for the survivor of the now stepladder Final Four, whom they will face in a best-of-three affair as per league rules.

By losing to Lyceum, San Beda lost its twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals and will take head-on either third-running Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers or any among the Letran Knights, Arellano Chiefs and, possibly, San Sebastian Stags, who could end up at joint fourth with 9-9 records.

Letran and Arellano are already assured of a playoff for the final semifinal spot while San Sebastian (8-9) tries to join them with a win later yesterday against the Perpetual Help Altas in the final game of the elimination round.

In securing the sweep, Intramuros-based Lyceum had to go through the eye of the needle as San Beda did not go down without a tough fight.

Mike Harry Nzeusseu and CJ Perez anchored the Pirates’ attack especially down the stretch as they fulfilled a date with history as one of the very few teams to complete a sweep of the eliminations in the NCAA, and in local collegiate basketball in general.

The two teams knew exactly what they wanted to accomplish entering the game and it showed how they came out very competitive right from the start.

Lyceum topped the opening frame, 25-22, before extending its cushion to 10 points at the halftime break, 56-46.

San Beda though would not allow Lyceum to just run away as they regrouped in the third quarter.

Donald Tankoua, Robert Bolick and Javee Mocon conspired and led the Lions’ clawback to come within one point, 70-69, entering the final frame of the all-important game.

The nip-and-tuck engagement continued in the fourth period with San Beda racing to a one-point lead, 78-77, with a little under four minutes remaining in regulation.

The count was leveled at 82-all with two minutes remaining before Franz Abuda scored a bucket for the Lions to give his team the lead, 85-83.

But Nzeusseu would come to the rescue of Lyceum moments later to force the first OT at 85-all.

In the first extra period, the Lions took early command, holding a three-point lead, 96-93, with 1:11 left on the clock.

Four straight points care of Nzeusseu and Perez gave Lyceum the lead, 97-96, but the Lions still had a shot to win it all after Bolick was fouled with 1.6 seconds remaining.

Unfortunately for San Beda, Bolick split his free throws that sent the game to second OT, 97-all.

In the second overtime, with most of their key players gone after fouling out, the Lions tried desperately to survive.

Armand Noah kept San Beda afloat, fighting to a 103-all score with two minutes remaining.

Bolick scored thereafter to give the Lions a 105-103 lead.

A split charity by Perez pushed Lyceum to within one, 105-104, after which Nzeusseu added two free throws after being fouled off a defensive rebound to tow his team to a 106-105 advantage with 12.7 second left.

Bolick tried to win it for San Beda with a drive to the basket but his shot failed to connect.

Nzeusseu collared the rebound and passed the ball to Perez who was fouled.

Perez drained his first free throw and intentionally missed the second after which the final buzzer sounded, sending the Lyceum faithful to celebration.

Nzeusseu paced Lyceum with 27 points, 21 rebounds and five blocks while Perez had 20 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals.

Jaycee Marcelino and Reymar Caduyac had nine points each for Lyceum.

Tankoua, meanwhile, led San Beda with 34 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks before fouling out.

Bolick had 16 points and five assists and Mocon, who also fouled out, had 14 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists.

Clint Doliguez had 13 points for San Beda, which finished the eliminations with a 16-2 record.

“The players just did not give up. It’s about being together for us and this achievement is a testament to how working as a group really works,” said Lyceum coach Topex Robinson after their sweep.

“It’s still a long way to go. It does not end here and we have to continue working to reach our ultimate goal of winning the championship,” the coach added.

The last time that NCAA had stepladder playoffs was in Season 86 where San Beda won over San Sebastian in the finals, 3-0.

The Lions swept the eliminations with a 16-0 record and let JRU, the Mapua Cardinals and San Sebastian fight among themselves in the stepladder for the right to face them, which the Stags eventually earned.

San Beda enjoyed an automatic 1-0 lead in the best-of-five finals then which San Sebastian found hard to overcome.

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