MANILA, Philippines – Dexter Zamora sank a running floater at the buzzer as Lyceum dragged Jose Rizal out of Final Four contention with a pulsating 73-72 victory in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City Saturday.
Scoressless after three quarters, Zamora, a 22-year-old, third-year veteran from Bukidnon, saved the best for last and poured in all his 10 points in the final period including that game-winner as the already-ran Pirates nailed their sixth win against 10 defeats.
The Intramuros-based dribblers also pulled the Bombers out of the Final Four race after the latter fell to their 10th defeat also against six triumphs.
"It was a big shot, it saved us this win," said Lyceum coach Boni Tan in Filipino referring to Zamora.
The Bombers, needing a win to remain in the Final Four hunt, had the chance to get it after Cris Jordan dela Paz connected on two pressure-packed foul shots that gave them a 71-70 lead with five seconds to go.
Then Zamora entered the fray to kill Jose Rizal's hopes.
It was another big win to remember for Lyceum, which owns the distinction of beating reigning three-peat champion San Beda, Letran, Perpetual Help and San Sebastian, currently the top four teams in the league, this season.
Jose Rizal's elimination left San Sebastian (9-6), Emilio Aguinaldo (8-8) and Arellano U (6-9) to contend for the fourth and last spot in the semis.
The scores:
LPU (73) -- KO 13, Mbomiko 12, Zamora 10, Mendoza 8, Baltazar 8, Ambohot 8, Taladua 7, Francisco 5, Lesmoras 2, Azores 0, Soliman 0, Evangelista 0.
JRU (72) -- Mabulac 17, Benavides 16, Paniamogan 14, Abanto 10, Juanico 5, Lasquety 4, Dela Paz 4, Salaveria 2, Pontejos 0, Balagtas 0, Sanchez 0.
Quarters: 20-12, 39-31, 56-48, 73-72.