LPU Pirates’ Joshua Moralejo. Photo from NCAA Philippines/Angela Davocol

MANILA — Lyceum of the Philippines University successfully erased University of Perpetual Help System DALTA's double-digit lead all thanks to the heroics of Joshua Moralejo in the end game.

The Pirates stunned the Altas, 64-62, during the NCAA Season 100 men's basketball tournament clash, Tuesday afternoon at the San Juan Arena, with the 5-foot-11 Moralejo draining the most important shot of the contest.

He finished with eight points and one rebound, while Renz Villegas top-scored for the Intramuros-based team with 18 markers, seven steals, five rebounds, and three assists. 

After storming back from a 15-2 opening quarter deficit and a 58-49 advantage by the Altas midway through the fourth period, Lyceum saw themselves only down by two, 62-60, after an 11-to-2 spurt that was capped by a triple by Jonathan Daileg with only 42 seconds left in the game. 

The Altas looked to hit the dagger for a more comfortable lead with only 25 ticks left in the game, but unfortunately for the Las Piñas-based cagers, Perpetual rookie Mark Gojo Cruz saw his heels stepping out of bounds.

This is when Moralejo did wonders for LPU as he hit a tough pull-up three-pointer from the top of the key as their shot clock winded down, and this gave them a slim 63-62 advantage with 5.4 left on the clock.

John Abis attempted his own trey to try to get back the lead in their next possession following their timeout, but his shot missed the bottom of the net.

Gojo Cruz then went on to foul Villegas to stop the clock and in hopes of another try to win or extend the game, but the latter made one and missed one in his trip to the 15-foot-line to let the clock expire. 

THE SCORES:

LPU 64 – Villegas 18, Daileg 10, Barba 8, Moralejo 8, Panelo 6, Aviles 5, Gordon 3, Peñafiel 2, Cunanan 2, Montaño 2, Pallingayan 0, Caduyac 0, Culanay 0.

Perpetual 62 – Gojo Cruz 14, Orgo 13, Abis 10, Pizarro 8, Pagaran 4, Manuel 3, Boral 2, Nuñez 2, Montemayor 2, Gelsano 2, Sevilla 2.

Quarterscores: 13-19, 27-32, 43-48, 64-62.