Lyceum cagebelles spank Lady Eagles

LUCENA CITY — In what appeared as a preview of the women’s finals, Lyceum of the Philippines defeated Ateneo de Manila University, 53-50, in overtime yesterday in the National Students Basketball Championships before a huge crowd at the Quezon Convention Center here.

It was the third straight victory for the multi-titled Lady Pirates even as Ateneo absorbed its first loss in three games in the women’s side of the week-long tournament.

Pixie Valencia, a mainstay of the national team and Lyceum’s chief gunner, put up a monster performance as she finished with a near triple-double of 17 points, 13 rebounds and nine steals.

Valencia also scored the game-tying baskets in regulation, scoring two free throws to send the game into overtime at 43-all.

Divina Reyes, Joan Caso and Marilyn Mantreo took over from there, as they outscored the Lady Eagles, 10-7, in the extension.

Mantreo added 10 points, and Reyes had eight. Lyceum will take on Philippine Maritime Institute at 8 a.m. today. The PMI Lady Mariners also won yesterday, beating Urios College by a mile, 85-45.

In the seniors division, PMI also needed a five-minute extension to turn back a stubborn Angeles University Foundation, 76-70, behind Cris Sta. Maria’s hot hands.

Sta. Maria, who led the Great Danes with 24 points, scored eight points in overtime, including two triples to preserve Allan Hicban’s heroics in regulation.

With the win, the Mariners took the No. 1 spot in Group A, and will meet the No. 2 team in Group D. AUF, on the other hand, clashes with the No. 2 team in Group D in the quarterfinals of the tournament jointly organized by the Basketball Association of the Philippines and the provincial government of Quezon headed by Gov. Willie Enverga and sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier, Burlington, Molten, Healthy Options, Absolute Distilled Water and the Philippine Sports Commission.

In Group B action, host Enverga University rolled past STI Sta. Rosa, 84-74 to bolster its chances for a quarterfinals slot. Clayven Gagarin exploded with 27 points, while Jerome Chua added 25 to lead the host’s balanced attack against STI.

It was Enverga’s second win in three starts. It will formally clinch the No. 2 spot should University of Baguio (2-0) wins over Our Lady of Lourdes (1-1).