Breaking down the numbers, take a look at how LPU's Basketball team evolved from underdog to "team-to-beat"
Photos courtesy of Jessie Guilas, Jaycee Alvarino, and Leander Gaffud of the LPU Independent Sentinel
CAVITE, Philippines — Ever since they became official members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) two years ago, the LPU Pirates never won their first games. (READ: Failing the first two attempts)
Now four games into Season 93, the Lyceum of the Philippines University is the team to beat with a 4-0 win-loss record. They toppled the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers, the San Beda Red Lions, the San Sebastian Golden Stags, and the Arellano Chiefs.
Looking back at Seasons 91 and 92, three of those teams played in the Final Four. The San Beda Red Lions were champions in both seasons.
But three weeks ago, they fell off their winning streak and lost 96-91 in favor of the Pirates.
How did the LPU Pirates, ranked 9th for the past two seasons, manage to start with a clean slate and an unbeaten record?
Top scorers outshine senior Pirate
Ever since CJ Perez stepped in, the Pirates had their confidence back.
(L-R) Nzeusseu, Ayaay, Baltazar, Perez, and Caduyac. Photo: Leander Gaffud
The newly-minted Pirate has consistently been the leading scorer of the team, with a total of 82 points in the past four matches. (22-24-20-16)
Perez was a former Stag and briefly played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, but had to leave due to academic deficiencies. (READ: Seven Blue Eagles face uncertain UAAP future due to academics)
Same goes for the Marcelino twins JV and JC who contributed a combined total of 68 points. Both caused confusion in the court and has become a valuable asset for the Pirates.
Jaycee Carlos Marcelino earned 38 points in the last four rounds (4-14-7-13) and his brother Jayvee Carlos contributed 30 points (9-7-6-8).
On the other hand, one of the former key players of the Pirates struggle to keep up.
Wilson Baltazar, who garnered 33 points and 50 points in the first four matches of Season 91 and 92 respectively, has dropped his record to only 25 points (7-9-7-2) without reaching double digits. Mike Nzeusseu remained a consistent star player by bringing in 49 points (13-18-10-8) and is currently the second top scorer of the LPU Pirates.
His previous record for the first four matches last season was also second to Baltazar's, bringing in 72 points (14-18-16-24) for the team.
Jesper Ayaay has also gotten much better as he contributed 45 points (11-4-17-13) compared to last year's 33 points (2-12-15-4).
Their stellar performance in pre-season tournaments also added to the hype, with the LPU Pirates winning the Milcu Got Skills tournament and placing third in the FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup. Baltazar even earned double digits in a tight game against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, ending with 100-99 in favor of the Green Archers. (READ: LPU loses by 1 point in knife-edged semi-finals vs DLSU)
Points Ahead
There is a pattern that answers the mystery behind the Pirates' victories: they are not playing catch-up.
SECOND GAME Pirates clash against the San Beda Red Lions. Photo: Jaycee Alvarino
Unlike before, the team is not too far behind nor have they battled head-to-head with their opponents. Their match against the Red Lions is the only exception.
In their first match against the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals last season, the first half of the game placed them on a difficult 10-point deficit.
The biggest lead they had to endure in the first four matches last season was against the Mapua Cardinals who pushed the Pirates back with a 16-point deficit in the third quarter.
Perhaps their most notable fight was going up against the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers, where the Pirates took the lead in the second and third quarter with only a 2-point deficit.
After their heated head-to-head battle against the Bombers, the Pirates earned their first win in Season 92.
This time however, the four teams they have faced had to play catch up with them.
The Heavy Bombers struggled in the second half of the game with a 14 to 21-point deficit. The Golden Stags was not so far behind with only a single digit deficit , and the Arellano Chiefs lagged in the fourth quarter with a 34-point deficit.
Only the San Beda Red Lions managed to go forward with a 2-point lead, but Perez and Caduyac stole it from them in the game's final minutes and triumphed.
One question remains: can they play consistently enough to reach the Final Four?