MANILA, Philippines – The Lyceum Pirates completed the Final Four cast of the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament after carving out an 82-81 upset of top seeded College of St. Benilde (CSB) Blazers on Friday, November 15, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
John ‘Ato’ Barba torched the nets, scoring 22 of 27 points in the first half on a perfect 9-of-9 shooting clip — including five from downtown — in a reserve role.
The win marks the season host’s third consecutive trip to the Final Four after Lyceum wrapped up its elimination run with a 10-8 record. Although this time, the Pirates will not be holding a twice-to-beat advantage.
Lyceum’s win also eliminated Emilio Aguinaldo College (8-9), which had hoped for a CSB win to keep its semifinal hopes alive.
“I am so happy, I could not contain my joy, but the job is not yet done as we are just entering the Final Four,” Barba said in Filipino after the game.
Lyceum joined Mapua (14-3), St. Benilde (14-4), and San Beda (10-7) in the semifinals.
“We need to prepare for the Final Four, whomever we face,” Barba added.
With the Pirates leading by as many as 16 points, 39-23, the Blazers played catch-up by responding with a 19-7 run to make it just a 42-46 deficit at intermission, before going ahead by four, 57-53, in the third quarter.
Lyceum then built a 10-point lead again, 76-66, with 4:32 to go, after Michael Versoza nailed a midrange jumper.
St. Benilde, behind timely three-point shooting, was able to cut it to one after an Allen Liwag bucket, 82-81, with about six seconds to play.
However, Liwag failed to complete a three-point play opportunity, bricking his bonus free throw that would have tied the game.
Yet the Blazers were able to secure the offensive board, giving them a few more seconds left to steal the game.
In a contentious finish, both Gab Cometa and Liwag missed potential game-winning baskets, allowing the Pirates to hold on to a narrow win.
But the Blazers vehemently argued that the referees missed two calls that would have given them a chance to win.
“What stupid shit is this,” CSB head coach Charles Tiu said on his personal X account around five minutes after the final buzzer, posting it along with a video of the supposed missed call.
Liwag led CSB with a team-high 20 points and 16 rebounds.
St. Benilde wrapped up its eliminations campaign with a 14-4 record, slipping to second behind the Mapua Cardinals (14-3).
The Cardinals can claim the No. 1 spot at the end of eliminations with a win over also-ran Arellano Chiefs (7-10) at 11 am on Saturday, November 16.
The Scores
Lyceum 82 – Barba 27, Bravo 12, Villegas 11, Guadaña 11, Daileg 11, Versoza 4, Aviles 4, Montaño 2, Cunanan 0, Panelo 0.
St. Benilde 81 – Liwag 20, Ancheta 18, Sanchez 11, Cometa 9, Ynot 7, Sangco 6, Morales 4, Torres 3, Jarque 2, Eusebio 1, Oli 0, Ondoa 0, Cajucom 0.
Quarters: 26-17, 46-42, 65-62, 82-81.
– Rappler.com