In the inaugural Play-In Tournament of the NCAA Season 101 Men’s Basketball, both Lyceum of the Philippines University and Jose Rizal University advanced to the next round after winning their respective matches on November 25 at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City.
John Barba Made Sure His Last NCAA Game Wouldn’t Be an L
After 8 years of being in college, John “Ato” Barba made sure that his last game was representing the Lyceum of the Philippines University.
In a Play-In match against the San Sebastian College-Recoletos, they only have one shot to make it to the quarterfinals and face the #1 team in Group B, the San Beda University.
The Golden Stags opened the matchup with strong energy as Jhuniel Dela Rama sparked their offense with an early seven points, allowing San Sebastian to take control of the first quarter.
The Pirates struggled early but stayed within striking distance behind occasional attacks from their wings.
San Sebastian maintained pressure midway through the second period, responding to Lyceum’s baskets with their own quick counters. Michael Versoza helped ignite the Pirates with drives to the rim and a six-point burst that helped knot the score at 30–30. The Stags answered with their own 6–0 spurt to regain the lead, entering halftime with the slight upper hand.
Lyceum came out sharper in the third quarter, beginning the period with a three-pointer from Gyle Montaño, followed by a steal from Renz Villegas that set up a transition layup by Joshua Moralejo to take the lead.
The Pirates then tightened their defense, holding San Sebastian to just five points in the entire quarter. With the score tied at 47–47 late in the period, Jonathan Daileg drilled a triple that helped Lyceum seize a narrow 50–47 advantage entering the fourth.
The final quarter became a tense back-and-forth, with both squads trading crucial baskets to stay level at 57–57.
San Sebastian continued to lean on Dela Rama and Jose Lumanag, who kept the Stags afloat with inside finishes and perimeter answers. But as the clock wound down, Lyceum’s experience showed. The Pirates strung together an 11–3 finishing run which was highlighted by a deep three from Daileg and important defensive stops to create a decisive 68–60 separation with under a minute remaining.
FINAL SCORE: LPU PIRATES 70 – 63 SAN SEBASTIAN
Graduating star John Barba, refusing to let this be his final collegiate game, delivered a commanding performance with 22 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Versoza and Daileg matched each other with 14 points and seven rebounds apiece, providing the spark LPU needed off the bench.
Despite the loss, the Golden Stags fought with resilience. Dela Rama registered a huge double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Lumanag contributed 15 points, four boards, and two assists.
Rookie Jerover Cabilla added 11 points as San Sebastian pushed until the final seconds, coming as close as 63–68 before missing their last few attempts.
With the victory, the Pirates clinched the No. 4 seed in Group A and advanced to the quarterfinal round, where they will challenge the San Beda Red Lions, who hold a twice-to-beat advantage, on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Justin Lozano Helps JRU Heavy Bombers Get Out of ‘Group of Death’
Being part of Group B meant they were in the ‘Group of Death’. For all season long, Justin Lozano and the rest of the JRU Heavy Bombers have struggled to have a winning momentum.
Now against Emilio Aguinaldo College, they can’t squander the opportunity given to them to make it to the quarterfinals and face the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas.
EAC came out more composed in the opening half, forcing JRU to play from behind and exposing the Bombers’ struggles on both ends. Despite trailing by multiple possessions, JRU stayed within striking distance, with contributions from Stephen Garupil, Shawn Argente, Sean Salvador, and team leader Justin Lozano keeping the game manageable.
By halftime, the Generals still held the upper hand, but the Bombers’ adjustments were already taking shape.
The tide began to shift in the third quarter. After falling behind 57-52, JRU responded with an 8-3 surge sparked by Garupil, Lozano, and Salvador, giving them their first lead since the early minutes, 60-58, heading into the fourth.
The Generals refused to fade, momentarily regaining control at 70-68 midway through the final frame. But the Heavy Bombers answered immediately, as Argente buried a go-ahead three-pointer followed by another long-range hit from Garupil that restored a 74-72 JRU advantage entering the last two minutes. EAC tried to counter when Brianne Angeles converted off a missed attempt to trim the deficit to 78-76, but JRU held steady.
Lozano’s composed finish at the rim, along with his assist to Allan Laurenaria for a crucial basket in the closing stretch, created a five-point cushion that proved decisive.
In the waning seconds, Harry Herrera calmly sank two free throws, which were his only points of the game, to seal the victory and end EAC’s season.
FINAL SCORE: EAC GENERALS 76 – 80 LPU PIRATES
Lozano powered JRU with 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists while showing leadership in the clutch. Garupil delivered an efficient 14-point outing on four triples along with five boards and three assists. Argente tallied 12 points, highlighted by his momentum-shifting three, while Salvador added 10 markers. Laurenaria contributed seven points, eight rebounds, and four blocks in a strong defensive effort.
For the Generals, Nico Quinal led the way with 16 points, while EJ Castillo and Wilmar Oftana tallied 14 and 13, respectively. Despite multiple late pushes and strong performances throughout the season, EAC’s campaign came to a close with only four wins in 14 outings, including the play-in round.
JRU now faces a tougher test as they prepare to challenge the Perpetual Altas, who hold a twice-to-beat advantage on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
