Enoch Valdez caught fire late to lead Lyceum of the Philippines University’s fourth quarter escape against San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 83-80, in the NCAA Season 99 on Friday.
Valdez dropped an all-around performance of 18 points, eighth rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and three blocks while Gyle Montaño chipped in 22 markers, four boards, and two dimes as Lyceum bounced back from a tough loss to Perpetual last Sunday.
With Valdez at the forefront alongside Gyle Montaño, the Pirates have improved their standing to 12-4 to secure a Final Four slot.
The also-ran Stags, meanwhile, fell to 5-11.
Faced with the same scenario as their previous loss to Perpetual, LPU had a turnaround in the third period, unleashing a 15-4 run led by Montaño as the Pirates retook a 49-46 lead.
However, the Stags kept up with graduating team captain Alex Desoyo firing 10 points in the next sequence to allow his team trail by just a point before heading to the payoff period, 64-63.
Jessie Sumoda then buried a corner triple over Shawn Umali to give San Sebastian a 74-70 lead but Valdez caught fire from that point on to rally LPU down the stretch.
The veteran Valdez, who was held to just four points in the first half, dropped three straight crucial buckets before he dished an assist to Umali for an 83-76 cushion with 2:23 left in the game.
Romel Calahat missed a potential game-tying triple but Valdez also went wide on his three-pointer attempt, giving the possession back to the Stags with the Pirates up with precarious 83-80 lead.
Calahat, though, missed another one from downtown as LPU completed the victory.
Lyceum still has two games left in the elimination round, taking on Arellano University on Sunday and San Beda University on Tuesday.
Scores:
LPU 83- Montano 22, Valdez 18, Umali 13, Guadana 10, Barba 9, Omandac 5, Cunanan 2, Villegas 2, Penafiel 2, Bravo 0.
San Sebastian 80- Desyo 22, Are 11, Felebrico 9, Calahat 9, Sumoda 7, Escobido 7, Velasco 4, Una 3, Ra. Gabat 3, Aguilar 3, Re. Gabat 2, De Leon 0, Castor 0, Singson 0.
Quarterscores: 17-19; 34-42; 64-63; 83-80.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
