Lyceum nips UP in Fr. Martin Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Transferee Joseph Gabayni scored two crucial charities at endgame, lifting the Lyceum Philippines University-B Pirates to an 87-86 win over the University of the Philippines Maroons last Thursday in the 20th Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament.

Gabayni’s heroics sent the Pirates-B to their sixth win in eight games when the smoke of battle cleared at the Trinity University of Asia gymnasium in Quezon City.

This put the Intramuros-based cagers a win closer to a second semifinals seat in Group A, and with the University of Perpetual Altas unbeaten (8-0) in their bracket, according to commissioner Robert de la Rosa.

The six-foot-five Gabayni, a transferee from University of Santo Tomas, had a gamehigh 24 points and found a chance to win it for the Pirates-B after JR Gallarza fouled him in the last 10.8 seconds.

Gallarza, who scored 18 points from six triples, kept the Maroons in front in the last 36 seconds with his last trey, 86-85.

Meanwhile, Cedrick Labing-Isa delivered 12 points for the National University-B Bulldogs as they waylaid the Centro Escolar University-Malolos Scorpions, 74-56, to end their stint in Group A at 2-7.

Diego Dario unloaded 20 points for the Philippine Under-17 team (3-4) as they won over the Trinity Stallions, 70-67, with Michael Nieto shooting four of five charities at endgame.            

The Maroons, who finished their campaign with a 4-5 win-loss record, drew 22 points from Christopher Vito and 20 from Dave Moralde.

The Pirates-B could have moved further ahead after Gabayni’s charities, but Dexter Zamora missed two gift shots in the final 6.5 seconds.

Jason Ibay hit 12 points for the St. Clare Saints, who smothered the San Sebastian Stags, 70-48.