Lyceum of the Philippines managed to eke out a victory by besting Ateneo de Manila 69-65 in the final game of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League Elite Eight Elimination Round Saunday evening at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
As expected, the titans from the National Collegiate Athletic Association and University Athletic Association of the Philippines fought a close contest all throughout, with neither team leading more than five points.
Trailing by two with only less than three minutes remaining in the ball game, Pirates big man Mike Henry Nzeusseu went to work by scoring five straight for his team to take the lead. CJ Perez made the crucial insurance free throws later on that proved to be just enough cushion for Lyceum to walk away with the win.
Nzeusseu had a dominant performance, with 19 points and 21 rebounds across his name, while the versatile swingman CJ Perez chipped in 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Adrian Wong was the lone player in double figure scoring for the Blue Eagles with 10.
Lyceum will finish on top of Group A with an immaculate 3-0 record. Joining them in the crossover Final Four will be these very same Ateneo squad who finished in second place sporting a 2-1 slate.
The Final Four begins tomorrow from the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City at 3:00PM.
BOX SCORE (FIBA LiveStats):
Lyceum of the Philippines: Nzeusseu 19, Perez 19, JC Marcelino 15, Ayaay 4, Santos 3, JV Marcelino 3, Ibanez 2, Tansingco 2, Serrano 2, Cinco 0, Caduyac 0.
Ateneo de Manila University: Wong 10, Black 9, Ravena 7, Maagdemberg 6, J. Nieto 5, Navarro 5, White 5, M. Nieto 4, Verano 3, Mamuyac 3, Mendoza 3, Go 2, Milillin 2, Andrade 1, Asistio 0, Tio 0.
QUARTERSCORES: 16-20, 34-36, 49-52, 69-65