Ever since 2017, Lyceum of the Philippines University has been considered as a contender in the NCAA men's basketball competitions.
That year, the Pirates, led by CJ Perez and Mike Nzeusseu, swept the Season 93 elimination round with a perfect 18-0 card to arrange a finals duel with San Beda University.
But the Pirates couldn't get the job done, falling to the mighty Red Lions, which then still had Robert Bolick, Javee Mocon, and Donald Tankoua, in the championship round.
They bounced back the following season as Lyceum returned to the finals of Season 94. But again, the Pirates could not solve the San Beda puzzle, falling anew as the Red Lions copped their third straight crown.
And new team captain Enoch Valdez is out to rewrite some history as he looks to steer Lyceum back to the finals and hopefully rule the upcoming NCAA Season 99.
"Gusto kong madala 'yung team ko sa finals, 'yun talaga 'yung goal ko kasi parang gusto kong gumawa ng history din e. Kasi 'pag individual lang, hindi naman nila maaalala 'yun e," Valdez told GMA Integrated News.
"Kumbaga 'yung history na nadala mo 'yung Lyceum sa finals, 'yun 'yung goal ko. Naiinggit ako kila Kuya CJ kasi do'n na nagsimula na makilala 'yung Lyceum e pero gusto ko pang higitan."
("I want to bring my team to the finals, that's my goal because I want to make history. Because if it's just individual achievements, no one remembers that... The history you make by bringing Lyceum to the finals, that's my goal. I'm jealous of Kuya CJ because that's when Lyceum began to be recognized, but I want to do more.")
Lyceum's succeeding campaigns have seen them get close.
In both Season 95 and Season 98, the Pirates managed to make it to the Final Four but failed to advance after losing in the stepladder round and semifinals, respectively, against the same opponent in Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
But it will be tough for the 6-foot-3 Valdez, who will have to lead a Lyceum side that lost a key player in do-it-all guard Renzo Navarro, who has applied for the PBA Draft.
But Valdez knows his team has the potential to win it all, especially with the likes of John Barba, JM Bravo, Vince Cunanan, Mclaude Guadana, and Shawn Umali tipped to help him carry the load in the upcoming season.
"I know naman na we have the potential kasi sobrang lakas ng lineup namin ngayon," Valdez added.
"Sobrang excited na i-lead kasi 'yung mga age naman namin hindi gano'n kalayo and sanay naman na ako kasi last season, co-captain naman ako so kumbaga nagsasalita na rin talaga ako."
("I know we have the potential because we have a very strong lineup this season... I'm so excited to lead because our ages aren't so far from each other, and I'm used to it because I was co-captain last season so I've been vocal already.")
NCAA Season 99 will begin on September 24 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Games will be held every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 2 pm and 4 pm, while Saturday games will be played at 9:30 am and 3:00 pm. Sunday games will have triple-headers at 10:00 am, 12:20 am, and 2:40 pm. Games can be accessed through different platforms of GMA Network.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
