Rookie Jonathan Daileg was in takeover mode in the endgame, fueling Lyceum of the Philippines University’s late breakaway from Emilio Aguinaldo College, 74-65, for a crucial victory in the NCAA Season 100 on Tuesday.
The first-year forward, who was held scoreless in the first half, came alive in the fourth quarter and dropped all of his 11 points as the Pirates broke a two-way tie with the Generals, taking the solo fourth for the time being with a 9-8 card.
EAC, meanwhile, is still alive but slipped to an 8-9 card and will need to win its next game and hope for an LPU loss to Benilde for a chance to book a playoff for fourth.
Alongside his scoring output, Daileg also grabbed three rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal while Renz Villegas top-scored with 12 markers, along with six boards and three dimes.
"I always reminded them that this game is very important to us, kung importante din sa EAC mas importante sa amin kasi our goal is going to the Final Four," LPU coach Gilbert Malabanan said.
[I always reminded them that this game is very important to us. If it’s important to EAC, then it’s more important to us because our goal is going to the Final Four.]
The Generals leaned on their bench early in the fourth with Nico Quinal, Jude Bagay, and JC Luciano converting baskets as they cruised to a 54-49 lead in the tightly-contested affair.
But the Pirates found an unlikely hero in the 21-year-old Daileg, whose back-to-back triples and pair of free throws powered a 14-1 rampage to send LPU to a 65-55 lead with 1:54 to go as he atoned for a cold offense in the first half.
EAC, though, retaliated with a quick 5-0 run capped by a Quinal triple.
Veteran John Barba and Daileg then put the finishing kick by sparking a 9-5 closing run to move a win away from booking a return ticket to the Final Four.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
