By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Lyceum Pirates and Mapua Cardinals, two of the hottest teams right now in National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95, battle today in league action at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Winners of their last four games, both the Pirates and Cardinals stake their winning runs in their scheduled 4 p.m. encounter with an eye as well on fortifying their place in the top four of the race with the conclusion of the elimination round fast approaching.
Also playing today are tailending teams Perpetual Help Altas (3-9) and Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals (2-11) at 12 noon and the undefeated league-leaders and defending champions San Beda Red Lions (14-0) against rivals Letran Knights (9-5) at 2 p.m.
Tripped by back-to-back losses midway into the ongoing tournament, Lyceum has responded well since, winning four straight games, the most recent of which was against Letran, 97-90, on Sept. 27.
The Pirates had a battle with the Knights in said game but the former just had extra to give in the end on the lead of guard Jaycee Marcelino, whose performance enhanced his selection as NCAA player of the week.
Marcelino finished with a career-high 25 points, boosted by five triples. Also coming up big for the Pirates was Reymar Caduyac, who wound up with 20 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Mike Nzeusseu, Niño Ibañez and Jayson David all scored 11 points or more for Lyceum, which is currently at second place in the race, behind San Beda.
“The players just played their hearts out. They just refused to lose,” said Lyceum coach Topex Robinson after their win.
In winning player of the week honors, given by media covering the league, Marcelino bested San Beda’s James Canlas, EAC’s Kriss Gurtiza, Arellano’s Justin Arana and Mapua’s Laurenz Victoria.
Meanwhile, Victoria and the rest of the Cardinals have been playing solid ball of late under coach Randy Alcantara.
After losing its first five games of the season, Mapua has turned things around, winning seven of their next eight games, including their last four.
The Cardinals are coming into today’s game off their 72-67 win over the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers on Sept. 26.
Victoria led a balanced attack by Mapua with 13 points, followed by Justin Serrano with 12 points.
JP Nieles and Christian Bunag had 11 each with Cyril Gonzales adding 10.
“I’m just happy with the performance of the players. We had a short turnaround from our last game but still they responded well,” said Mr. Alcantara, who took over from Mapua and Philippine Basketball Association legend Atoy Co as coach of the Cardinals in the off-season.
