Lyceum’s Renz Villegas in NCAA Season 100.–NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Renz Villegas sparked Lyceum’s finishing kick that drove San Sebastian virtually out of the semifinal picture, 93-85, on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.

Villegas set a career-high 25 points including a three-point play amid the Stags’ endgame fightback as the Pirates went on to seal the win and strengthened their bid for another Final Four appearance.

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“Against San Sebastian, we knew we had to double our efforts in transition. With their lack of shot blockers, the game plan was to attack them constantly inside,” said Lyceum coach Gilbert Malabanan.

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The Pirates’ seventh victory in 15 games ended a string of three consecutive defeats since beating the defending champion San Beda Red Lions early last month.

But more importantly, it kept the Pirates in the running for a third consecutive tour of duty in the Final Four.

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John Barba likewise neutralized San Sebastian’s hopes, draining seven of his 20 points in the closing minutes as the Pirates tied the Letran Knights with identical records at fifth.

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Absorbing their 11th defeat and with three games remaining, the Stags are heading toward another early exit from the title playoffs.

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The Stags found their groove in the fourth, reducing a 19-point Lyceum advantage down to a single digit on Tristan Felebrico’s three coupled by the energy displayed by Nikko Aguilar and high-scoring playmaker Paeng Are.

READ: NCAA: Perpetual Help posts crucial win over Lyceum

Villegas then took the initiative of regaining Lyceum’s control and conspired with Barba in dashing the hopes of the Stags for good.

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“Renz is really playing well. He’s the most consistent guy on the floor for us right now,” said Malabanan.

Felebrico had 18 points on top seven rebounds, four assists and two steals, Aguilar added 14 and Are, back from one-game respite due to a swollen right knee, scored 10 of his 12 points in the final quarter for the Stags.

In a tight race with the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals (7-7) and the Knights for a semifinal spot, Lyceum will be facing the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers next in a crucial tiff that could sustain or break the Pirates’ aim for an extended playoff run.

The scores:

LYCEUM 93 – Villegas 25, Barba 20, Peñafiel 10, Montaño 9, Guadaña 8, Panelo 6, Cunanan 4, Versoza 4, Daileg 3, Aviles 2, Moralejo 2, Caduyac 0

SAN SEBASTIAN 85 – Felebrico 18, Aguilar 14, Are 12, Escobido 12, Velasco 6, R. Gabat 5, L. Gabat 4, Pascual 4, Barroga 3, Suico 3, Lintol 2, Cruz 2, Maliwat 0, Ramilo 0, Ricio 0

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Quarterscores: 16-17, 40-33, 71-50jpwinner gaming, 93-85

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