Games on Wednesday
(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
11 a.m. – EAC vs San Beda
2:30 p.m. – UPHSD vs Mapua
LYCEUM of the Philippines University (LPU) coach Gilbert Malabanan had already mapped out a plan that he hoped would neutralize San Sebastian College-Recoletos’ (SSC-R) run-and-gun game — attack inside relentlessly.
It worked.
Drawing strength from its height and heft, the Pirates rammed the smaller Stags, 93-85, on Tuesday that kept their ship afloat in the tight NCAA Season 100 Final Four race at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
LPU’s persistence to pound it inside produced Mr. Malabanan the desired results as it forced SSC-R to foul aplenty that led to the latter making a killing from the foul line where it drilled in 27 of the 38 it attempted there.
LPU captain Renz Villegas waxed hot with 25 points while John Barba contributed 20 in helping power the Pirates to their seventh victory against eight setbacks and back in the semis hunt.
The Stags sputtered to 4-11. — Joey Villar