MANILA, Philippines -- Lyceum of the Philippines University veteran Jaycee Marcelino was far from 100% when the Pirates battled Colegio de San Juan de Letran in a crucial NCAA Season 95 showdown last week.

Days before their virtual battle for the second seed with Letran, the Pirates' senior guard was stricken with the flu and thus could not join practices.

His sickness was not an excuse for Marcelino to miss a game, however.

"It's about living in the moment, no excuses. Like itong si Jaycee, he only returned yesterday after sitting out five days of practice," said Lyceum head coach Topex Robinson. "He played his heart out today and that's a testament to the dedication of this kid to this team."

Despite not getting any practice behind him and almost losing his legs early, the 23-year-old Marcelino made sure to lead the Pirates, finishing with 25 points spiked by five triples to go along with two rebounds, two steals, and an assist.

• READ: Marcelino-led Lyceum cuts Letran down to size anew

More importantly, Lyceum gained a one-and-a-half-game cushion over fellow title contender Letran in the standings with a 97-90 victory.

"Pinagalitan ako ni coach," the native of Olangapo quipped. "Nakikita ko kasi sa mga kakampi ko sa bench na hindi sila sumusuko. Paano pa kaya ako na nasa court kaya nagdoble effort ako nung second half para sa kanila."

With his inspirational performance, Marcelino was hailed as the Chooks-to-Go Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week.

Marcelino bested Mapua University's Laurenz Victoria, San Beda University's James Canlas, Emilio Aguinaldo College's Kriss Gurtiza, and Arellano University's Justin Arana for this citation given by print and online scribes covering the country’s oldest collegiate league.

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