Lyceum downs Benilde

c/o GMA and NCAA

Games Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre

9:30 a.m.- EAC vs Arellano

3 p.m.- Letran vs JRU

Lyceum rejoined Mapua atop the NCAA Season 99 Men's Basketball tournament standings on Friday, as they downed the College of Saint Benilde, 84-81, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

In securing the victory over the Blazers, the Pirates needed a couple of buckets from Jearlan Omandac to extend their streak to five straight games and elevate their record to 11-3 this season.

The 6'5" sophomore from Tagum shares, "Tiwala sa sarili ko na kahit na puro mintis sa first half, tiwala ako papasok."

Head coach Gilbert Malabanan also praised his team's defense in the triumph, notes that, "... Hindi kami makakashoot kung wala kami stops."

Serving as the anchor of that defense is Enoch Valdez, who contributed three steals alongside his team-best fifteen points and six rebounds.

When Malabanan was asked about his wingman, he shares, "He’s playing his last year and he’s going to do everything to help this team win."

CSB, which had been dictating the pace for most of the game while also controlling the rebounding advantage, had a chance to force overtime, but Prince Carlos' heave went in-and-out. The defeat cost the Blazers a chance to move into a tie for second place alongside Lyceum in their quest to secure the twice-to-beat advantage.

First Game

Lyceum 84- Valdez 15, Bravo 14, Barba 13, Umali 9, Omandac 9, Guadana 7, Penafiel 6, Cunanan 5, Versoza 2, Villegas 2, Montano 2, Fuentes 0

CSB 81- Oczon 19, Carlos 16, Gozum 13, Corteza 11, Nayve 7, Morales 7, Marcos 5, Arciaga 3, Turco 0, Mara 0, Marasigan 0, Cajucom 0, Jarque 0

Quarterscores: 18-20; 43-45; 59-64; 84-81