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MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino shone in crunch time to power Lyceum of the Philippines University to a thrilling 84-80 triumph over Colegio de San Juan de Letran, in their first game of the NCAA Season 95 men's basketball tournament on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Jaycee put up 24 points, Jayvee added 18, and the twins combined for 16 points in the final quarter to propel the Pirates past the Knights for a winning start to the season. Veteran Reymar Caduyac acced 16 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
"Coming into the game, we discussed how we're gonna look at the season. It's not about the result of the game but how we are playing," said Lyceum coach Topex Robinson.
The game featured plenty of momentum swings, with Lyceum clinging to a 64-62 lead heading into the final frame after the returning Jerrick Balanza sparked the Knights in the third frame. Balanza -- playing for Letran once more after recovering from a brain tumor last year -- starred in a 10-0 run that gave the lead back to Knights, 72-66, with under 7 minutes left.
Letran was still in control, 76-71, off two charities by Balanza with 3:37 off the fourth foul of Jaycee.
With Jaycee on the bench, it was his twin brother who took charge, assisting on a Caduyac bucket before nailing back-to-back buckets -- including a stunning putback that saw him out-jump Letran's Allen Mina.
A split at the line by Jeo Ambohot tied the game for the last time, before Jaycee connected on a floater upon his return to the game, and drew Muyang's fifth foul to boot. He completed the three-point play for an 80-77 lead, then scored on another lay-up to make it a five-point game with 50 ticks to go, 82-77.
With Jaycee on the bench, it was his twin brother who took charge, assisting on a Caduyac bucket before nailing back-to-back buckets -- including a stunning putback that saw him out-jump Letran's Allen Mina.
"We're focusing our energies on being the smallest and quickest team in the league, hoping that other teams will not catch up with us," said Robinson, whose squad played without Mike Nzeusseu on Sunday as the Cameroonian center is dealing with a fractured index finger.
"That's the choice we took, and it gave us a win (today)," he added.
Balanza, in his return, had 19 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals. Muyang had 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting, while Jeo Ambohot added a double-double of 10 points and 10 boards.
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