TLPNews | LPU Pirates Hoist the Victory Flag, Sailing Past the LETRAN Knights in Second Winning Streak!
By Tricia Mijares
The Lyceum of the Philippines (LPU) Pirates Men’s Basketball Team wins their second game on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, for the NCAA Season 99 basketball tournament against Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights.
Lyceans were gathered at the Filoil EcoOil Centre, San Juan at 4:00 in the afternoon to show their support and cheer for the LPU Pirates Men’s Basketball Team. The tournament was broadcast on GTV, NCAA Philippines’ Facebook page and Youtube, and GMA Sports PH’s Facebook page.
The game begins with the first five players; Cunanan (18), Omandac (8), Aviles (15), Barba (3), and Guadaña (7), dominating the court. LPU Pirates consistently scored the first points per quarter. Omandac (8) starts off the game with a three-point shot. Valdez (2) scored the first two points in the second quarter. During the third quarter, Bravo (26) hits the first two points. On the last quarter, the first two points were scored by Peñafiel (17).
It was an intense fight, but the LPU Pirates remained the leading team throughout the game. The LPU Pirates had a three-point lead at the end of the first quarter, 18–21, and dominated the halftime segment with the scores 35–36. Moreover, the LPU Pirates obtained 18 perimeter points, 14 points in the paint, 22 rebounds, 4 steals, and 7 fastbreak points, according to the halftime statistics. On the other hand, the Letran Knights had 6 perimeter points, 22 points in the paint, 25 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 fastbreak points. The first-half lead scorers are Enoch Valdez with 7 points, and Sean Umali and Jearolan Omandac who both scored 6 points each. During the halftime intermission, performances from LPU Pirates Pep Squad accompanied by the LPU Drum Squad and Letran Knights Pep Squad together with the Letran Knights Drum Squad, respectively, were demonstrated.
LPU Pirates lead the second-half again, finishing with the scores 51–52. During the fourth quarter with 7:34 minutes remaining on the clock, LPU Pirates and Letran Knights tied their scores with 56–56. Letran Knights starts to take the lead with 5:41 minutes remaining on the clock, 61–60. The teams tied their scores again 63–63 with 3:57 minutes to go. Few minutes before the end of the fourth quarter, the Letran Knights continued to lead the game. With the last 53.6 seconds, the Letran Knights had a one-point lead against the LPU Pirates, 69–68. With 15.9 seconds remaining before the game ends, John Barba (3) claims the winning shot. The game concluded with the score 69–70 making the LPU Pirates Men’s Basketball team achieve their second win streak for the NCAA Season 99. Shawn Umali wearing jersey number 28 was declared as the Player of the Game with 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 2/2 3-point field goals.
Lyceans from the Lyceum of the Philippines proudly congratulates and celebrates the victory of the LPU Pirates!
