JM Bravo marks his triumphant NCAA return after a scary on-court collapse, helping 4th-ranked Lyceum earn an all-important win over No. 5 EAC, while also-ran Perpetual ends its season with a comeback win over JRU
MANILA, Philippines – Fueled by the return of their swingman JM Bravo, the Lyceum Pirates turned back the EAC Generals, 74-65, to secure at least a playoff for the last Final Four spot in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre on Tuesday, November 12.
After passing out on the court following an accidental collision with Arellano Chiefs’ Renzo Abiera last October 19, Bravo – who missed four straight games due to the injury scare – provided much-needed boost for the Pirates as they broke a two-way tie with the Generals to grab the solo fourth spot with a 9-8 card.
With only three playing dates left in the second round, Lyceum shoved EAC down to the fifth spot – tied with the Letran Knights with identical 8-9 records.
Only one Final Four spot is up for grabs as the College of St. Benilde Blazers (13-3), the Mapua Cardinals (13-3), and the defending champion San Beda Red Lions (10-6) have already punched their tickets to the semifinals.
Although he only scored 2 points on 1-of-6 shooting, Bravo delivered when it mattered most as his lone basket put the Pirates ahead by 8, 63-55, at the 2:33 mark of the fourth quarter.
The 6-foot-2 Bravo also hauled down a crucial offensive rebound with 1:03 left, which led to two free throws by Renz Villegas that gave LPU a 67-60 cushion after EAC went on a 5-0 blast.
Aside from his 2 points, Bravo also came up with 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and a +/- of +11 in 14 minutes of play.
It was Villegas who topscored for the Pirates with 12 points, while rookie Jonathan Daileg stepped up big with 11 points – all coming in the fourth quarter.
On the other side, Harvey Pagsanjan and King Gurtiza paced EAC with 16 and 14 points, respectively, but the duo combined for a lowly 10-of-30 clip from the field.
Overall, the Pirates’ stingy defense only allowed the Generals to convert on 2 of their 31 attempts from beyond the arc.
Perpetual wraps Season 100 campaign
Meanwhile, the Perpetual Altas ended their Season 100 campaign on a high note after completing a 21-point comeback against the also-ran JRU Heavy Bombers, 86-82.
It was a balanced team effort for Perpetual as five players scored in double figures, with JP Boral leading the way with a career-best 22 points.
John Abis added 15, Gelo Gelsano and Mark Gojo Cruz fired 14 apiece, while Christian Pagaran poured in 11 for the Altas, who wrapped up their first year under their head coach Olsen Racela with a 7-11 record.
Shawn Argente topscored for the cellar-dwelling JRU (4-13) with 18 points, while Joshua Guiab and Joseph Pangilinan chipped in 17 and 11, respectively.
The Scores
First Game
LPU 74 – Villegas 12, Daileg 11, Guadana 10, Barba 9, Versoza 9, Cunanan 8, Penafiel 5, Aviles 4, Bravo 2, Moralejo 2, Montano 2, Panelo 0, Paulo 0, Pallingayan 0, Gordon 0.
EAC 65 – Pagsanjan 16, Gurtiza 14, Lucero 8, Bagay 7, Loristo 5, Quinal 5, Oftana 4, Luciano 4, Umpad 2, Ochavo 0, Jacob 0, Doromal 0, Bacud 0.
Quarters: 20-16, 30-27, 43-45, 74-65.
Second Game
Perpetual 86 – Boral 22, Abis 15, Gelsano 14, Gojo Cruz 14, Pagaran 11, Montemayor 5, Nunez 3, Pizarro 2, Manuel 0, Cauguiran 0, Thompson 0, Sevilla 0.
JRU 82 – Argente 18, Guiab 17, Pangilinan 11, Raymundo 8, Sarmiento 8, Lozano 6, Samontanes 6, Barrera 4, De Jesus 2, Panapanaan 2, Ferrer 0, Bernardo 0, De Leon 0.
Quarters: 22-28, 39-56, 57-68, 86-82.
– Rappler.com
