NCAA: Lyceum overcomes Arellano for strong end to crossover phase

MANILA — Lyceum concluded the crossover phase of the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament on a strong note, taking down Arellano 62-57 on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The Pirates have won two straight games to improve to 4-5 in the tournament.

Matthew Rubico shone once again for Lyceum with 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds to hand the Chiefs their fourth loss in nine games.

“Tinatry ko lang i-involve ‘yong teammates ko kasi ‘di pwedeng ako lang ‘yong iiscore,” said the young gunner. “Kailangan lahat kami masaya, lahat kami dapat makakahawak ng bola.”

The Lyceum Pirates during their game against Arellano in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament, October 22, 2026 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. Angela Davocol, NCAA PhilippinesLyceum also won without the services of coach Jamike Jarin, who served a one-game suspension after being ejected in the squad’s last outing against San Sebastian.

The Pirates also dealt with the absence of team captain Gen Aviles, who went down with a knee injury in the same game.

Lance Aurigue and Mac Guadaña helped Lyceum’s cause with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Basty Valencia put up an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double but the Chiefs still fell to 5-4. He was the only double-digit scorer for Arellano, and shot just 5-of-22 from the field.

At the end of the crossover phase, Jose Rizal University topped Group A with a 7-2 record. On the other end, Letran stood atop the totem pole of Group B at 6-3.

Group game action resumes tomorrow, Friday, starting with the Knights going up against the Golden Stags at 2:30 pm to be followed by San Beda’s bout with the Heavy Bombers at 5 pm, still in the San Juan sporting complex.

LPU 62 – Rubico 15, Aurigue 11, Guadana 10, Ondoa 8, Penafiel 6, Matienzo 5, Daileg 4, Villegas 3, Pallingayan 0, Gordon 0, Fuentes 0, Panelo 0, Manuel 0, Nocum 0, Caduyac 0

AU 57 – Valencia 11, Geronimo 8, Hernal 8, Flores 7, Borromeo 5, Anama 5, Cabotaje 4, Vinoya 4, Langit 3, Manansala 2, Barraca 0, Camay 0, Buenaventura 0, Abiera 0

Quarter scores: 15-15, 34-31, 46-45, 62-57