NCAA 95 opening sees Lyceum victory over contender Letran

“Simula na naman ng bakbakan! Watch the action-packed opening ceremonies of NCAA Season 95 this Sunday, July 7, 2019, live at 12:00NN at the Mall of Asia Arena! #VivaVivaPirata” (Photo: Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila/Facebook)

The Marcelino brothers set the pace for the Pirates, with Jaycee contributing a total of 24 points and Jayvee chipping 18. In the fourth quarter alone, the twins helped secure the win as they contributed a total of 16 points. Jayvee even provided a crucial layup in the last 3.8 seconds of the game. Teammate Reymar Caduyac also proved to be a leader with 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists, opening the season with a bang despite the absence of Cameroonian import Mike Nzeusseu, who is still recovering from a jammed right index finger.

Letran, on the other hand, was paced by both Jerick Balanza and Larry Muyang, who provided 19 and 14 points for the Knights respectively. Unfortunately, Muyang was fouled out during the last minute and a half of the game.

LPU head coach Topex Robinson reacted to their first win of the season, revealing in Filipino, “Jaycee told me, ‘Coach, we’re the smallest ones.’ And I told him, we have two choices: it’s either we lose by just being the smallest team or we win by being the smallest team.” Coach Topex added, “We might be the smallest, but what we have is the quickest team in the league right now and we’re focusing on all our energy to being the smallest and the quickest team in the league, hoping that teams won’t catch up our quickness.”

Robinson also revealed how crucial it was to have the presence of their alumni CJ Perez and MJ Ayaay, explaining, “Our team is about honoring CJ and Ay for bringing us, but also building on it. We’re grateful for what they did but what’s important is what’s in front of us,” referring to their second-place finish last season.

The Pirates will have a chance to score another win next Friday, July 12 as they face the EAC Generals at the Filoil Flying V Centre, while Letran will face hosts Arellano on the same day.