Pirates raid Chiefs, secure NCAA semis bonus

MANILA, Philippines -- The Lyceum Pirates clinched the last twice-to-beat semis advantage in NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament after securing a wire-to-wire victory over the lowly Arellano Chiefs, 98-86, Sunday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Mclaude Guadana and John Barba scored 17 points apiece in the bonus-clinching victory.

As early as the second quarter, the Pirates jumped to a double-digit lead.

Arellano, however, fought back and cut the lead to four, 48-44, with 20 seconds remaining in the first half following a Charles Lustina jumper.

A 3-pointer by Guadana, however, helped the Pirates take a seven-point lead, 51-44, heading into the second half.

Lyceum then took a 71-54 lead -- the biggest of the game -- with 3:50 in the quarter after a Jearlan Omandac trey.

The deficit was too much to overcome for Arellano even though they inched closer and cut the lead to seven, 93-86, late in the final frame.

A 3-pointer by Vince Cunanan with 58 seconds remaining slammed the door on the Chiefs' comeback efforts.

Shawn Umali also had 15 points for Lyceum.

Jade Talampas led the Chiefs with 20 points and nine rebounds.

Lorenz Capulong chipped in 17 markers.

Lyceum is now holding a 13-4 win-loss slate. They took the second twice-to-beat advantage in the tourney after the 14-3 Mapua Cardinals.

Arellano dropped to 2-15.