Knights score bizarre victory over Pirates

MANILA, Philippines — Letran outlasted Lyceum in a bizarre, controversial 80-79 victory yesterday to move a step closer to the Final Four in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center.

The regulation actually ended up tied at 80-all and should have gone into overtime after Jaycee Marcelino hit a three-pointer with 40.8 seconds to go.

But Marcelino’s three was downgraded to a two-pointer after video replays showed he stepped on the three-point line, thus handing Letran an 11-4 card while ensuring at least a playoff for a Final Four slot.

Interestingly, the Knights drew inspiration from the surprise visit of teammate Jerrick Balanza, who was operated on for a brain tumor a month back.

Larry Muyang outplayed Mike Harry Nzeusseu with 23 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks against the Cameroonian’s 25 points and 10 boards.

Earlier, Arellano U dumped Jose Rizal, 86-70, Mapua trounced Emilio Aguinaldo, 80-67.

The scores:

First Game

Mapua 80 – Lugo 18, Victoria 15, Bonifacio 11, Biteng 8, Serrano 7, Aguirre 6, Pelayo 5, Gamboa 4, Bunag 4, Jabel 2, Salenga 0, Nieles 0.

EAC 67 – Laminou 21, Magullano 15, Garcia 10, Bautista 6, Mendoza 6, Gonzales 4, Tampoc 3, Cadua 2, Corilla 0, Natividad 0, Neri 0, Bugarin 0.

Quarterscores: 13-15; 33-24; 52-50; 80-67.

Second Game

Arelllano U 86 – Dela Cruz 19, Alcoriza 11, Canete 10, Dela Torre 10, Bayla 10, Segura 9, Alban 8, Concepcion 4, Sera Josef 3, Ongolo Ongolo 2, Sacramento 0, Codinero 0, Santos 0

JRU 70 – Mallari 17, Esguerra 17, Aguilar 12, Doromal 9, Estrella 4, Santos 4, Miranda 3, Padua 2, Mendoza 2, Bordon 0, Ramos 0, Silvarez 0, David 0, Dela Virgen 0

Quarterscores: 25-7; 48-32; 75-50; 86-70

Third Game

Letran 80 – Muyang 23, Quinto 20, Calvo 18, Ambohot 6, Fajarito 4, Batiller 3, Galvelo 3, Celis 2, Taladua 1, Yu 0, Balagasay 0

LPU 79 – Nzeusseu 25, Perez 16, Marcelino JC 9, Pretta 8, Marcelino JV 7, Ayaay 5, Caduyac 4, Santos 3, Ibanez 2, Serrano 0, Valdez 0, Yong 0

Quarterscores: 18-21, 44-48, 64-68, 80-79