LPU's Ato Barba in action.Photo from NCAA Philippines/GMA

MANILA – Host school Lyceum of the Philippines University clinched the last Final Four spot in the NCAA Season 100 men's basketball tournament.

The Pirates took down league-leader De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in a nail-biting game on Friday, 82-81, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

With the victory, the Pirates also slashed Emilio Aguinaldo College's hopes of entering the next round.

Ato Barba had a perfect afternoon, shooting 9-of-9 for a game-high 27-point output to go along with three steals.

"Ang saya ko, 'di ko maipaliwanag 'yung saya ko ngayon. Pero 'yung saya naman namin, today lang kasi job is not done. Kakapasok lang namin ng Final Four so kailangan pa namin paghandaan 'yung magiging kalaban namin and good thing nakuha namin 'yung panalo ngayon," Barba told reporters.

The Pirates led by as much as 16 points early in the game, but they almost squandered it to the rallying Blazers.

It became a one-point ballgame after Liwag converted underneath the basket while getting fouled with 5.3 seconds left in the payoff period.

After Liwag's miss at the charity line, the scramble for loose ball went to Benilde's possession. Gab Cometa tried going for the win, but was blocked by Vincent Cunanan, with the Blazers again gaining the ball with 0.7 seconds left in regulation.

However, that last Benilde possession went empty as Pirates celebrated their return to the Final Four.

Liwag paced the losing side with a 20-point, 16-rebound performance. The Pirates are now 10-8 after the triumph, while Benilde slid to 14-4 win-loss card.

The scores:

LYCEUM 82– Barba 27, Bravo 12, Villegas 11, Guadaña 11, Daileg 11, Versoza 4, Aviles 4, Montaño 2, Cunanan 0, Panelo 0

ST. BENILDE 81– Liwag 20, Ancheta 18, Sanchez 11, Cometa 9, Ynot 7, Sangco 6, Morales 4, Torres 3, Jarque 2, Eusebio 1, Oli 0, Ondoa 0, Cajucom 0

Quarter scores:26-17, 46-42, 65-62, 82-81