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OVERCONFIDENCE is a bad habit, especially in a do-or-die basketball game.

That proved to be true last November 12, 2009 as the University of Manila Hawks overcame an 18-point deficit in the second quarter to emerge victoriously over the Lyceum of the Philippines University-Manila Pirates to claim a spot in this year’s Philippine Collegiate Champions League Sweet 16 from Group A of the North/Central Luzon-Metro Manila Zonals.

Lyceum started the match swinging hard by knocking down six three point baskets in the first quarter. Regie Rimando exploded with 11 points in that opening quarter, including three shots made from three-point distance and a pretty one dribble, pull-up jumper for two points.

It seemed that the Pirates were on their way to an easy conquest after leading by double-digits for majority of the first half. But the Hawks were not about to give up on their Sweet 16 hopes just yet. Despite playing on their opponent’s home court, the purple and neon green-clad Hawks found a way to get back in the game.

“Through motivation sa players. We must execute yung mga plays namin. Wala nang gana yung practice dito eh kasi every game day it’s more on motivation. We always said na because of our hardwork and defense, efficient offense, unti-unti kaya natin manalo rito sa game na to,” revealed UM coach Jojo Castillo or coach ‘Jocas,’ as he is fondly called.

In the third quarter, UM grabbed their first lead of the game at 48-46 off a basket by Kevin Rabalo at the 4:02 mark. The Hawks outscored the Pirates 22-9 in that crucial quarter and led by two going into the final 10 minutes of the game.

The contest saw seven deadlocks in an exciting second half. Lyceum managed to draw five fouls each from UM’s starting frontline of Edwin Tamayo and Jay-ar Manuel. The former graduated from the game with 6:43 remaining and the latter, exactly 38 seconds later. Not to be discouraged by the loss of their top two big men, starting point guard Jeff Viernes kept fighting.

After hitting two critical cold-blooded three point shots, the ball was in Viernes’ hands with the game tied at 74 and under 30 seconds left to play. Viernes drove hard to the rack but missed. Luckily for UM, the loose ball landed in the hands of Bob Patricio who scored with 17.4 seconds left. On the other end of the court, Lyceum banger Andre Mendoza committed a turnover after the ball was tapped from behind and into the hands of Viernes, who was fouled with 4.3 left in regulation. Viernes hit only one free throw but finished with a game-high 28 points. A steal by RJ Patricio finalized the Hawks triumph.

The NAASCU runner-up now has a chance to make some waves in the prestigious Sweet 16.

“Well, aside from sa NAASCU ma-hohonor din siguro sila dahil nasa Sweet 16 ang isang team na miyembro ng NAASCU. Aside from that, yung sa personal ko, this is my third time sa PCCL. Twice kasi sa MLQU (Manuel L. Quezon University) lumaban kami sa Sweet 16. So this is my third time. Hopefully, mas maganda kasi first round eliminated na agad kami sa MLQU. So, hopefully dito kahit second round lang,” said Castillo, who replaced multi-titled mentor Ato Tolentino just five months ago.

In the first game, the Lyceum of Subic Bay Sharks defeated the PCU-Dasmariñas Dolphins in a non-bearing game. A three-point basket by Cesar Carey with 54.3 seconds left in the game won it for the North/Central Luzon Regional Champions. But unfortunately for the Sharks, it was their only win in the zonals. The PCU Dasma Dolphins ended up winless in three games.

The scores:

First Game

Lyceum-Subic Bay 77 – Peligo 23, Valencia 14, Velasco 14, Carey 12, Binog 7, Baydo 3, Belano 2, Postrado 2.

PCU-Dasma 74 – Magat 22, Ibarrientos 20, J. Oxciano 19, Magdaong 7, C. Oxciano 4, Dona 2.

Quarter scores: 20-23, 33-41, 58-61, 77-74.

Second Game

UM 77 – Viernes 28, Manuel 10, Napiza 9, Ravalo 8, delos Trinos 8, R. Patricio 6, B. Patricio 4, Tamayo 4.

Lyceum 74 – Guevarra 19, Ong 11, Rimando 11, Difuntorum 9, Abaya 8, Mendoza 7, Anacta 6, Francisco 2, Deduyo 1.

Quarter scores: 19-30, 34-45, 56-54, 77-74.

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