#FilOIl2019: Lyceum books FilOil semis return after surviving CEU scare

SAN JUAN -- Group B top seed Lyceum went on a tough test against Centro Escolar University before the Pirates earned their ticket back to the FilOil FlyingV Preseason Cup semifinals with a hard-fought 76-69 win Monday afternoon at the FilOil FlyingV Centre.

Topex Robinson and his crew nearly blew a 17-point lead just before halftime as they weathered a huge storm by the nine-men Scorpions, who even took a late lead in the fourth 67-65 on a Franz Diaz triple in the last three minutes of the game.

But Lyceum set their sails just right to finish strong, firing an 11-2 closer to return to the last four where they last made it in 2017, when they finished third.

Alvin Baetiong filled a massive gap left by slotman Mike Harry Nzeusseu, pitching in 13 points in 20 minutes of action, including a buzzer-beating floater to put away CEU, 74-69 with 26.3 seconds left in the game.

Maodo Malick Diouf carried the Scorpions on his back once again, firing a double-double of 17 points and 19 rebounds but their run ends at the quarterfinal stage.

The scores:

Lyceum 76 -- Baetiong 13, Caduyac 1, JC Marcelino 9, Ibanez 8, JV Marcelino 6, Santos 6, Yong 6, David 4, Remulla 4, Valdez 4, Tansingco 2, Navarro 2, Laurente 2, Gaviola 0

CEU 69 -- Diouf 17, Guinitaran 16, Santos 12, Diaz 8, Caballero 5, Sunga 4, Abastillas 4, Bernabe 3, Pamaran 0

Quarter scores: 22-21, 47-33, 58-50, 76-69

(photo by FilOil FlyingV Sports)