#Filoil2019: La Salle escapes past Lyceum to book return trip to the finals

SAN JUAN -- Four-time FilOil FlyingV Preseason Cup champions La Salle had to grind out a close 82-80 win to march on to the championship game Thursday afternoon at the FilOil FlyingV Centre.

The Green Archers leaned on the dynamic duo of Justine Baltazar and Encho Serrano to set a record eighth appearance in the title game of the country's premier off-season tournament, surviving a gallant stand by the Pirates who never let up for the entire game.

Baltazar led all players with a game-high 22 points and 22 rebounds, as he broke the final deadlock at 78 with his pair of free throws with 2:53 to go.

For his part, Serrano pitched in 20 points to backstop their premier power forward, but he made his mark in the game for his big rebound off a Reymar Caduyac miss with 4.5 left, after which he split from the line for the final count.

The win was not even secured until Jayson David clanked his desparation three, giving La Salle a chance to nab a record fifth championship in the preseason on Sunday.

Enoch Valdez and Jeffrey Santos each had 15 for Lyceum who will play for third place for the second time in three years.

The scores:

La Salle 82 -- Baltazar 22, Serrano 20, Bartlett 12, Melecio 9, Caracut 7, Lojera 5, Cagulangan 2, Bates 2, David 2, Cu 1, Bonggay 0, Lim 0

Lyceum 80 -- Valdez 15, Santos 15, David 13, Caduyac 10, Ibanez 9, JV Marcelino 8, Navarro 6, Baetiong 2, Yong 2, Tansingco 0, Laurente 0

Quarter scores: 29-27, 46-44, 66-64, 82-80

(photo by FilOil FlyingV Sports)