LYCEUM closed the crossover phase of the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament on a winning note, holding off Arellano, 62-57, at the San Juan Arena on Thursday.

After a rocky start to the tournament, the Group A Pirates won their second straight game against a Group B opponent to improve to 4-5.

Matthew Rubico once again led the way for Lyceum, finishing with 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds as the Pirates handed the Chiefs their fourth loss in nine games.

“Tina-try ko lang i-involve ‘yong teammates ko kasi ‘di pwedeng ako lang ‘yong i-score,” said Rubico. “Kailangan lahat kami masaya, lahat kami dapat makakahawak ng bola.”

Lyceum pulled off the win despite missing head coach Jamike Jarin, who served a one-game suspension after being ejected in the Pirates’ previous outing against San Sebastian.

Team captain Gen Aviles was also sidelined after suffering a knee injury in the same game.

Rubico said the Pirates dedicated the victory to Jarin and Aviles, drawing motivation from their absences before tipoff.

“Itong game na ’to inaalay talaga namin ’to kay coach Jamike tsaka sa captain namin. Para sa kanila talaga ’to. Bago magsimula ’tong game na ’to, ’yun na nakatatak sa puso at isip namin,” he said.

“Sana naging proud sila sa’min.”

Lance Aurigue and Mac Guadaña chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively, to help the Pirates secure the win.

Arellano, meanwhile, slipped to 5-4 despite a double-double from Basty Valencia, who tallied 11 points and 10 rebounds. Valencia was the Chiefs’ lone double-digit scorer but struggled from the field, making just five of his 22 attempts.

At the end of the crossover phase, Jose Rizal University topped Group A with a 7-2 record, while Letran finished atop Group B at 6-3.

Group play resumes Friday, with Letran taking on San Sebastian at 2:30 p.m., followed by San Beda’s clash with JRU at 5 p.m. Both games will be played at the San Juan Arena.

The scores:

Lyceum (62) — Rubico 15, Aurigue 11, Guadaña 10, Ondoa 8, Penafiel 6, Matienzo 5, Daileg 4, Villegas 3, Pallingayan 0, Gordon 0, Fuentes 0, Panelo 0, Manuel 0, Nocum 0, Caduyac 0.

Arellano (57) — Valencia 11, Geronimo 8, Hernal 8, Flores 7, Borromeo 5, Anama 5, Cabotaje 4, Vinoya 4, Langit 3, Manansala 2, Barraca 0, Camay 0, Buenaventura 0, Abiera 0.

Quarter scores: 15-15, 34-31, 46-45, 62-57.