MANILA, Philippines – Lyceum University struck the biggest upset so far in the fresh season of NCAA men's basketball tournament after finally beating four-peat seeking San Beda College via a thrilling 70-66 victory Monday.
Coach Bonnie Tan believes their commitment to each other is the key to their win, revealing that the whole team is currently even living under one roof.
"We've been living together since April and I think it has been a huge difference for us," said Tan, who said his team is currently living together at a house in Quezon City.
"Dalawang room lang kami sa bahay na tinitirahan namin. Kami rin ang nag-luluto ng pagkain namin so naging close kaming lahat sa isa't isa (We only have two rooms in our house. We cook for ourselves so we became close to each other)," he added.
"Even the last two days, we have forbidden cellphones and it is a team decision," Tan said.
Tan also shared that the players themselves have pressured each other to improve and be disciplined.
"Malaking bagay talaga sa amin yun kasi pag meron mga nag-pupuyat o lumalabas nag-kakahiyaan na sila (Living together is big thing for us because they even hesitate to stay up late or go out for the sake of each other)," Tan said.
LPU finished dead last in Season 88 and they used their dismal performance as a motivation to play better this year.
"Gusto ko di mawala yung gutom nila manalo every game at isipin nila yung pinag daanan namin last year para di kami maging complacent (I hope their desire to win won’t go away and that they think of what we went through last year so we won’t be complacent)," Tan added.