Lyceum secures first victory by defeating EAC Generals

Games today:

The Arena

4 p.m. – Letran vs. St. Benilde

6 p.m. – Mapua vs. EAC

THE LYCEUM Pirates finally barged into the win column as they defeated the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals by the skin of their teeth, 83-81, in the 88th NCAA basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan City.

Mark Franciso showed composure and steely nerves as he calmly knocked down two freethrows with just 3.2 seconds remaining to help the Pirates notch their first win of the season after suffering three straight losses.

EAC actually had a chance to tie the game and send it to overtime but Nikki Monteclaro muffed his attempt as the final buzzer sounded. The finish was fitting for a game that saw the Generals come back from a six-point deficit in the final moments to tie the match at 78-all with less than two minutes remaining in the game.

The Pirates seized the lead back after a three pointer by point guard Shane Ko but EAC did not go away as they tied the match for the last time off a trey by Franc Chiong.

Rich Guevarra paced the winners with 22 markers while top gun Chris Cayabyab added 19. Noube Happi had 26 for EAC while Jan Jamon tallied 14 points.

The loss was EAC’s second straight after winning their opening assignment as they now own a 1-2 (win-loss) mark.

The Generals will be aiming to bounce back today as they take on the Mapua Cardinals. The Letran Knights and the St. Benilde Blazers, two teams who are also struggling early in the season, try to right the ship when they take on one another in the opener at 4 p.m.

BOX SCORES:

Lyceum (83) — Guevarra 22, Cayabyab 19, Ko 10, Zamora 8, Laude 8, Edding 4, Azores 4, Mendoza 2, Garcia 2, Ambohot 2, Francisco 2, Martinez 0, Mallari 0.

EAC (81) — Happi 26, Jamon 14, Yaya 11, Tayongtong 10, Munsayac 7, Chiong 5, Paguia 4, King 4, Monteclaro 0, Morada 0, Sanchez 0. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio