Lyceum, Benilde pull off shockers in Fr. Martin Cup

MANILA, Philippines – The Lyceum Philippines University Pirates and College of St. Benilde Blazers came up with upset wins in the 11th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup basketball tournament.

The Pirates, bannered by 6’8 Cameroonian Victor Ngudjol’s  heroics in the dying seconds, waylaid the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 83-79, to post their second straight win in Group A at the  St. Placid gymnasium of the San Beda College-Mendiola campus in Mendiola.

The Blazers, led by Earvin Flores with 29 points, stopped last year’s finalist San Sebastian Stags, 73-71, to catch up with the Pirates.

Allyn Malabanan led the Pirates with 12 points, while Ngudjol delivered 10 points apiece with Jasper Ayaay and Rhoel Maconocido.

Ngudjol came into the picture with the less than 30 seconds left, and scored a layup which shattered a 77-all deadlock.

The Pirates then relied on the split free throws of Malabanan and Larry Muyang in the ensuing play to ensure the win.

The Blue Eagles, behind Joma Adornado and Jerie Pingoy with 15 and 11 points, played without one of their two big men, 6’9 Nigerian Chibueze Ikeh, who was sent out in the third period for goal-tending.

With Ikeh, the Pirates were able to catch up with the Blue Eagles.

Carlo Young, who had 11 points, scored on a split charity with 1.1 seconds left to carry the Blazers past the Stags.

The win was a follow up of the Blazers’ earlier 83-72 beating of the Arellano University Chiefs.