PIRATES WIN. Lyceum of the Philippines University's Renz Villegas (No. 20) tries to get past Letran's James Miller (No. 2) during the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 men's basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan on Friday (Oct. 11, 2024). Villegas scored 23 points as the Pirates won the game, 91-68. (NCAA photo)
MANILA – Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) demolished Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 91-68, to boost its Final Four campaign in the NCAA Season 100 men's basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan on Friday.
Renz Villegas finished with 23 points, including three triples, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while John Barba chipped in 11 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals as the Pirates improved to 5-5.
Gyle Montano also performed well, scoring 16 points highlighted by four three-pointers, as Lyceum avenged its 66-78 loss on Oct. 5.
“After we lost in the first round, we had a three-day team building at the LPU Cavite. We prepared there," shared Barba, who averages 19.78 per game.
“We had a bad start. This is our opportunity to recover. It's a good thing everyone responded," he added.
Two of Lyceum's three injured players have returned, with John Bravo scoring 10 points on top of eight rebounds while Michael Versoza had seven points and four rebounds.
Mcclaude Guadana is expected to join the team on Wednesday against defending champion San Beda University.
“The three are the missing pieces in our team in the first round. That's why we had a bad start," Bravo said.
Vince Cuajao delivered 16 points, including three triples, as Letran fell to third place at 6-4, behind College of Saint Benilde (7-2) and joint second San Beda and Mapua University (6-3).
Sherick Estrada contributed 11 points, four rebounds, and four assists while Paolo Javillonar had 10 points for the Knights, who took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, which ended at 21-all.
Kevin Santos, who scored 17 points in the first round, only had eight points but made 10 rebounds, four blocks, two assists, and two steals. (PNA)
