The Lyceum Junior Pirates are close to a Final Four stint in the junior division of the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament.
Two veterans, John Barba and Mac Guadana, led the Junior Pirates to a 81-64 beating of the Arellano Braves last Friday at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center.
Barba and Guadana fired 19 and 16 points, respectively, for the Junior Pirates as they finished the first round with a 6-3 win-loss record.
This put the Junior Pirates in second spot, a feat that the team has not done in the past.
“This is the first time in the history of the league that the Junior Pirates are in second. Kailangan pa ng team na nito na mag-work hard,” said Junior Pirates’ coach JC Docto.
The Junior Pirates went to work early in grabbing the upperhand.
Rookie Gyle Montano banged in 12 points, with his steal, driving shot and two charities in the closing minutes of the first period allowing Lyceum to take control with their 18-9 edge.
For the Braves, Adrian Rellama showed the way with 13 points, eight rebounds, and four assists while Chris Recto also added 11 markers and six boards.
The San Beda Red Cubs are in the solo lead at 7-1.
On the other hand, the Braves fell to a share of third with the La Salle Greenhills Greenies at 5-3.