Pirates keep in thick of race for No. 1 seeding

Lyceum’s Enoch Valdez flies previous Faculty of St. Benilde’s Migs Oczon and Miggy Corteza for the layup.-NCAA Picture

Lyceum trimmed Faculty of St. Benilde on Friday, and the Pirates enhanced their probabilities to seize high seeding after an exciting 84-81 win carved out of sheer guts left them tied for the elimination spherical lead heading into their last 4 video games at San Juan Enviornment.

The Pirates jacked up their successful streak to 5 whereas halting the Blazers’ run at 4, and in rising to 11-3, virtually made the race for No. 1 within the Closing 4 a two-sided affair with idle Mapua.

Lyceum pressured Benilde to twenty turnovers that resulted in 28 factors with Enoch Valdez taking pictures 15 factors to steer the Pirates offensively. John Bravo added 14 factors.

Jearlan Omandac hit two huge triples earlier than Valdez made a free throw that sealed the win as Lyceum now stands as the one undefeated staff within the second spherical.

At 9-5, the Blazers nonetheless clung to 3rd spot after San Beda took a 61-57 defeat by the hands of Perpetual Assist. The Purple Lions, probably the most dominant aspect within the final decade, slipped to 8-5.

Migs Oczon dropped 19 factors constructed on three triples, with the troika of Ray Carlos (16), Will Gozum (13) and Miggy Corteza (11) offering help. Nonetheless, these numbers weren’t sufficient to maintain Benilde on monitor, as it’ll attempt to sweep its last 4 video games for the very best place within the playoffs, which might nonetheless imply a seat within the high two.

Artwork Roque and Christian Pagaran scattered 19 and 12 factors for the Purple Lions, respectively.

Jacob Cortez fired 22 factors for Perpetual, whereas Mark Omega grabbed 11 rebounds and scored 10 factors for the Altas, who remained within the playoff hunt at 7-7 however not having room for errors the remainder of the elimination spherical.

Yukien Andrada was the third participant in twin digits for San Beda with 11.