Lyceum, which booked its semifinals spot last Friday by virtue of an 83-80 escape of San Sebastian, improved to 13-4 to secure the last twice-to-beat incentive alongside top seed Mapua University.
Completing the job though didn’t come without a challenge.
The wards of head coach Gilbert Malabanan turned a 51-44 halftime lead to a 66-50 cushion in the third with Mclaude Guadaña flaunting his outside shooting. However, Arellano veteran Lars Sunga completed a three-point play chance to close the gap to 10, 85-75, halfway throught the fourth.
A Lorenz Capulong triple from the top of the key saw the Chiefs staring at just a six-point deficit, 84-91, before fourth year playmaker Greg Cunanan fired a corner triple to send LPU back up by another double-digit, 96-86, in the 60 seconds.
Jade Talampas and Capulong both missed their triple attempts as Guadaña was left open for a fastbreak layup to seal the win.
Guadaña and John Barba took the scoring cudgels with 17 points each while team captain Enoch Valdez starred with a double-double effort of 11 markers and 15 rebounds laced with five assists and one steal.
Talampas flirted with a double-double as the graduating sniper poured in 20 points and nine rebounds paired with two dimes, two steals, and one block.
LPU will take on San Beda on Tuesday while Arellano will wrap up its campaign on San Sebastian on Friday.
Scores:
LPU 98- Guadana 17, Barba 17, Umali 15, Valdez 11, Bravo 9, Montano 6, Penafiel 6, Omandac 6, Villegas 5, Cunanan 3, Moralejo 3, Versoza 0, Aviles 0.
Arellano 86- Talampas 20, Capulong 17, Mallari 14, Sunga 12, Geronimo 6, Yanes 6, Camay 5, Lustina 2, Dela Cruz 2, Ongotan 2, Villerente 0, Dayrit 0, Tan 0, Rosalin 0.
Quarterscores: 21-16; 51-44; 80-65; 98-86.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
