Lyceum avenges NCAA Finals loss to San Beda, claims PCCL crown

The Pirates dethroned the San Beda Red Lions as PCCL champions with a 70-66 win in the national final at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City on Thursday night. (Photo: Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila/Facebook)

MANILA — Revenge is sweet for Lyceum.

The Pirates dethroned the San Beda Red Lions as PCCL champions with a 70-66 win in the national final at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City on Thursday night.

It was a tale of odd and even as Lyceum and San Beda split the odd and even-numbered quarters, but Lyceum, which got control of the game in the fourth quarter, showed resilience down the stretch, when San Beda tried to make things interesting.

The Red Lions zoomed to a 21-13 lead in the first quarter only for the Pirates to answer with a 26-14 second quarter to go up, 39-35, at halftime.

San Beda reclaimed the lead, 57-54, on a 22-15 third quarter only to let Lyceum open the fourth on a 12-1 to take the lead for good, 66-58, which was enough to weather one last San Beda push.

Jaycee Marcelino made 19 points on 50 percent shooting, nine rebounds, two assists, and three steals for the Pirates, who became the third NCAA team to become the national collegiate champions. Marcelino was adjudged the MVP of the tournament.

Mike Nzeusseu, who joined Marcelino in the Mythical Five, added 16 markers and 11 boards, while CJ Perez, the other Pirate in the Mythical Selection, made eight markers.

Javee Mocon led the Red Lions, who played the knockout stages without the injured Robert Bolick, with 24 points, while Donald Tankoua finished with 13. Mocon and Tankoua completed the Mythical Team.