REYMAR Caduyac’s steady hands at the free throw line and Lyceum’s solid defense in the final 12.6 seconds led to the Pirates’ 75-72 upset of the defending champion Letran Knights Friday at the Arena in San Juan.
The 19-year-old rookie came into the picture right after the Pirates wasted a 13-point advantage as they went on to post their fourth win in nine games at the end of the first round of the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
Rey Nambatac tallied a game-high 22 points, including 10 in the final period as he tried to bail the Knights out of trouble. His triple in the remaining 12.9 ticks to go put Letran close, 72-73.
The Pirates finished the first round in fifth place, while the Knights are in third with their 5-3 slate.
Meanwhile, the San Beda Red Lions endured 32 turnovers and got past the San Sebastian Stags, 87-77, to stretch their winning run to eight.
The Stags absorbed their eighth straight loss.
