NCAA: John Barba’s late heroics lift Lyceum past Letran

MANILA, Philippines—John Barba came up clutch on both ends to push Lyceum past Letran, 70-69, in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Wednesday.

Barba made the game-winning layup off a steal on Letran guard Kurt Reyson with 15.9 seconds left as the Pirates improved to 2-0 with both of their wins coming at the expense of last season’s finalists after toppling runner-up St. Benilde in the opening on Sunday.

The Knights, meanwhile, dropped to 0-2 following an overtime setback at the hands of Jose Rizal University also on Sunday.

Shawn Umali, who starred in Lyceum’s thrilling win over the Blazers, chalked up another good game with 15 points and three rebounds.

The Pirates also drew 10 points and eight rebounds for Enoch Valdez while Barba added nine, including a basket that cut the Knights’ advantage to one, 69-68.

Reyson had 17 points, five rebounds and six assists while Kobe Monje had 13 points and seven rebounds but he missed a potential game-winning triple from the corner at the end of the game.

Lyceum looks to keep up its winning ways against Perpetual Help on Saturday while Letran goes for its first win against Emilio Aguinaldo College, which beat the Altas, 75-67, earlier.