NCAA: Mapua ousts Lyceum to set up q’finals clash with Letran

MANILA — Mapua University cruised past Lyceum, 83-68, in the play-in phase of the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament on Thursday at the San Juan Arena.

The Cardinals were armed with a twice-to-beat advantage as the fourth seed in Group A but they took care of business at the first time of asking to oust the Pirates from contention.

Mapua will now take on Group B’s top seed in Letran, with the Knights having a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals.

Ivan Lazarte starred in the win, putting up 25 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal while making all three of his attempts from long range.

“Hindi ko iniisip na hindi ako hundred percent. Kailangan namin mag buy-in sa sistema ni coach (Chito Victolero) ngayon. ‘Yon ‘yong gusto namin, magbuy-in at manalo,” said Lazarte.

Lazarte also put Mapua’s win in perspective: “No time to relax, no time to celebrate, focus agad kami sa next game namin.”

Russell Liwanag and Cyrus Cuenco helped Mapua’s cause with 15 and 13 points, respectively. Jamal Diaz also chipped in 11 in the win.

Mclaude Guadana left it all on the floor in his final game as a Pirate with 15 markers. Renzelle Villegas scored 12 while up-and-coming swingman Matthew Rubico finished with 11 points and nine boards in the defeat

MU 83 – Lazarte 25, Liwanag 15, Cuenco 13, Diaz 11, Concepcion 9, Ryan 4, M. Nitura 2, L. Nitura 2, Igliane 2, Timbol 0, Mendoza 0, Dones 0, Razon 0

LPU 68 – Guadana 15, Villegas 12, Rubico 11, Daileg 8, Penafiel 7, Ondoa 4, Aurigue 3, Manuel 3, Nocum 2, Matienzo 1, Caduyac 1, Pallingayan 1, Cardinas 0, Fuentes 0

Quarter scores: 24-14, 48-33, 68-55, 83-68