Pirates Overcome Key Absences to Secure Second Straight Victory
Lyceum closed the NCAA Season 102 crossover phase with consecutive victories after defeating Arellano, 62-57, Thursday at the San Juan Arena. The Pirates improved to 4-5 despite playing without suspended head coach Jamike Jarin and injured captain Gen Aviles.
Lyceum Ends Crossover Phase With Consecutive Wins
One Sports covered Lyceum’s five-point victory over Arellano, which completed the Pirates’ NCAA Season 102 crossover schedule Thursday. The Group A Pirates improved to 4-5 after securing their second consecutive victory against opponents from the other group.
Lyceum entered the matchup without Jarin, who served a one-game suspension following his previous ejection against San Sebastian. Aviles also missed the contest after suffering a knee injury during that same game against the Golden Stags.
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Pirates Beat Arellano Without Jarin and Aviles
Lyceum completed its crossover schedule without two key figures after Jarin’s suspension and Aviles’ knee injury kept both unavailable. The Pirates still secured their fourth victory, beating Arellano by five points and carrying consecutive wins into their group schedule.
Matthew Rubico Leads Lyceum With 15 Points
Rubico produced 15 points, seven assists, and six rebounds while directing Lyceum during its five-point victory over Arellano. His seven assists accompanied another double-digit scoring performance as the Pirates generated enough offense to complete their crossover schedule successfully.
Rubico explained afterward that involving his teammates remained an important part of his approach rather than concentrating exclusively on scoring. His comments directly reflected a performance where his seven assists nearly matched his six rebounds alongside 15 points.
Guard Credits Teammates After Seven-Assist Performance
Rubico emphasized sharing opportunities with his teammates after recording seven assists during Lyceum’s 62-57 victory over the Chiefs.
“Tinatry ko lang i-involve ‘yong teammates ko kasi ‘di pwedeng ako lang ‘yong iiscore,” said the young gunner. “Kailangan lahat kami masaya, lahat kami dapat makakahawak ng bola.”
His seven assists led Lyceum’s playmaking production while complementing the 15 points and six rebounds he contributed Thursday.
Pirates Dedicate Victory to Jarin and Aviles
Rubico revealed that Lyceum entered Thursday’s crossover finale determined to dedicate the result to its unavailable coach and captain. Jarin’s suspension and Aviles’ injury followed the previous San Sebastian game, leaving both absent for the Pirates’ matchup against Arellano.
The Pirates responded by securing their second consecutive victory, giving Rubico an opportunity to acknowledge both missing leaders afterward. His postgame comments described the team’s motivation before the contest and delivered a direct message following the five-point victory.
Rubico Delivers Message to Missing Leaders
Rubico said the Pirates carried Jarin and Aviles in their thoughts before beginning Thursday’s final crossover matchup against Arellano.
“Itong game na ‘to inaalay talaga namin ‘to kay coach Jamike tsaka sa captain namin. Para sa kanila talaga ‘to, bago magsimula ‘tong game na ‘to, yun na nakatatak sa puso at isip namin,” Rubico said.
He followed that dedication with another brief message directed toward Lyceum’s suspended head coach and injured team captain.
“Sana naging proud sila sa’min.”
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Aurigue and Guadaña Support Lyceum Victory
Lance Aurigue contributed 11 points and Mac Guadaña added 10, giving Lyceum three double-digit scorers alongside Rubico against Arellano. Their production supported the Pirates during a low-scoring contest that ended with both teams combining for only 119 points.
Arellano finished the crossover phase at 5-4 after suffering its fourth defeat through nine NCAA Season 102 games. Basty Valencia recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds but converted only five of his 22 field-goal attempts against Lyceum.
Valencia Records Double-Double for Arellano
Valencia finished as Arellano’s only double-digit scorer, collecting 11 points and 10 rebounds during Thursday’s five-point defeat against Lyceum. The Chiefs’ leading scorer attempted 22 field goals but converted five as Arellano finished the crossover phase with a 5-4 record.
Lyceum Returns to Group Play With 4-5 Record
Thursday’s result completed Lyceum’s crossover schedule before NCAA Season 102 teams returned to competition within their respective original groups. The Pirates carry a 4-5 record into that phase after ending crossover play with consecutive victories over Group B opponents.
Jose Rizal University leads Group A with a 7-2 record, while Letran holds the Group B lead at 6-3. Lyceum remains three victories behind JRU entering the next stage after improving its record through two consecutive crossover wins.
JRU and Letran Lead NCAA Season 102 Groups
JRU enters the next phase atop Group A at 7-2, three victories ahead of Lyceum’s current 4-5 record. Letran leads Group B at 6-3 as teams shift away from crossover competition and resume games within their original pools.
Analytical Breakdown: Rubico Keeps Lyceum’s Offense Moving
Rubico’s seven assists strengthened Lyceum’s offense by creating opportunities for teammates whenever Arellano concentrated defensive attention on his scoring. Winning without Jarin and Aviles also showed valuable collective responsibility, especially when communication and leadership needed redistribution across the rotation. Lyceum’s recovery becomes more significant if its balanced scoring and Rubico’s playmaking remain consistent when competition returns to group play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Lyceum beat Arellano in NCAA Season 102?
Lyceum defeated Arellano, 62-57, to finish the NCAA Season 102 crossover phase with consecutive victories.
What is Lyceum’s NCAA Season 102 record?
The Pirates improved to 4-5 after beating Arellano in their final crossover game of NCAA Season 102.
How did Matthew Rubico perform against Arellano?
Rubico led Lyceum with 15 points while adding seven assists and six rebounds during Thursday’s five-point victory.
Why did Jamike Jarin miss the Arellano game?
Jarin served a one-game suspension after being ejected during Lyceum’s previous NCAA Season 102 game against San Sebastian.
Who leads the NCAA Season 102 groups?
Jose Rizal University leads Group A at 7-2, while Letran holds the Group B lead with a 6-3 record.
Disclaimer: Headline Image from SPIN.ph.
