Mbomiko, Taladua lead Lyceum in upsetting Letran

MANILA, Philippines - Lyceum rode on Cameroonian Aziz Mbomiko's solid game-long effort and then went to Jeremiah Taladua in the stretch as it eked out a shock 80-76 victory over league leader Letran to breathe life to its flickering Final Four hopes in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City Thursday night.

Mbomiko, who tried out for the team and not recruited unlike the other African reinforcements out there, had a career 22-point, seven-rebound and five-steal effort while Taladua scored his team's last four points to seal it for the Pirates.

While it the win improved Lyceum's record to 4-7 (win-loss), it also dealt its Intramuros neighbor its second loss against nine wins to stay just half a game ahead of second-running Perpetual Help and San Beda (8-2).

The Pirates also became the first team to beat the Knights and the Lions, last year's finals protagonists, this year after also stunning San Beda, 70-66, in the first round last June 24.