Lyceum’s Mbomiko named NCAA Player of the Week

MANILA, Philippines - Of all the African imports that roamed collegiate basketball, Lyceum’s Aziz Mbomiko of Cameroon is the only one who tried out to get a spot in a team. So you could imagine how the 6-3 Mbomiko wants to prove himself worthy like the rest.

Coming up with a season-best performance, the 22-year-old Mbomiko willed the Pirates to a stunning 80-76 upset of the heavily favored Letran Knights last week that gained him the nod as the ACCEL/3XVI NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week that is backed by Gatorade.

Mbomiko dropped 22 points and spiked it with seven rebounds, five steals and an assist to help seal the win for Lyceum, which owns the distinction as the only team in this year that beat reigning three-peat champion San Beda and Letran.

“I’m not as tall and as big as the other big men but I make up for it with my heart, desire and will to win,” said Mbomiko.

Lyceum coach Bonnie Tan, who turned a leaf a few days back, said Mbomiko is a blessing from heaven.

“Only few probably know that he (Mbomiko) is a walk-in. That’s why we are blessed to have him in this team,” he said.

Originally, Mbomiko was designated by Tan as the team’s defensive team captain but when push came to shove, he can step up and score too as proven in Lyceum’s stunning win over San Beda when he delivered the dagger in the heart.

Mbomiko also became the first player from Lyceum to have been bestowed the weekly honor given by the country’s sportswriters covering the oldest collegiate league.