LYCEUM of the Philippines University showed incredible grit and composure as it pulled off an epic 107-105 double overtime victory over San Beda to complete a historic elimination-round sweep for an automatic finals slot in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City on Thursday.
Cameroonian Mike Nzeusseu and CJ Perez waxed hot in the second overtime to seal the Pirates’ perfect 18-0 record that sent them straight to the best-of-three finals next month.
The Red Lions remained at No. 2 with a 16-2 card and will for its opponent in the unpredictable stepladder semifinals.
Nzeusseu powered his way to 27 points and 21 rebounds, while Perez bucked a sloppy start and finished with 20 points he spiked with six rebounds, six assists and four steals.
It was Nzeusseu who tied the count at regulation at 85-85, forcing the first overtime, which ended at 97-97.
“There were times that we’re down but they just don’t want to give up. It’s a testament of this team working together as a solid group,” Lyceum Coach Topex Robinson said.
Lyceum became the first team to sweep the eliminations since San Beda pulled it off seven years ago—also sweeping their way to the crown.
Interestingly, Lyceum joined the league a year later. And now the Pirates are on the cusp of history.
“We’ll just try to keep on improving because we know it’s not over yet,” Robinson said.
San Beda’s Cameroonian reinforcement Donald Tankoua outscored Nzeusseu and fired a game-high 34 points.
In the end, it was Nzeusseu who had the last laugh as Tankoua fouled out late in the first overtime.
The Red Lions had a chance to steal the game but Robert Bolick split his charities instead of knocking down both to force another overtime.
Bolick tried to redeem himself in the second overtime and scored a high-looping banking shot over the outstretch arms of Nzeusseu to give San Beda a 105-103 lead with 1.25 minutes remaining.
But that was San Beda’s last stand as the Pirates draining four of six charities after that to nail the win.