AFTER a dismal 2-7 record last season, Lyceum is now a much-improved team in NCAA 98, tied for the lead with a 5-1 card.
The Pirates’ strong start, which included wins over last season’s Final Four teams in Letran, Mapua, San Beda, and Perpetual, can be attributed to the consistency of their rising star Mac Guadaña, who is averaging 12.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.8 steals.
The 21-year-old guard turned it up even more in their last two games, posting norms of 16.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in back-to-back triumphs over the Altas and the Knights.
After proving to be the difference against the defending champion Knights, firing a season-best 20 points built on three triples, Guadaña earned the recognition as the Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week presented by the Philippine Sports Commission.
The second-year player bested teammate Enoch Valdez, Arellano’s Axel Doromal, Benilde’s JC Cullar, San Beda’s James Kwekuteye, and Perpetual’s Jielo Razon for the award backed by minor sponsors MNL Kingpin, Tinapayan Festival, and Jockey decided upon by print and online writers regularly covering the league.
The former Batang Gilas standout said he and his teammates are just starting.
“I just hate losing kaya pinagtatrabahuhan ko talaga kung ano ‘yung matutulong ko sa team, and ayun nagbubunga naman,” said Guadaña. “Mas mame-maintain ko ‘yung ganung performance by continuing kung ano ‘yung mga ine-extra work ko. Then siyempre, mas dadagdagan ko pa.”
