Cunanan, Valdez star as Pirates defuse Bombers in OT.

MANILA -- Vince Cunanan and Enoch Valdez took charge in overtime as Lyceum of the Philippines University got back at first-round tormentor Jose Rizal University, 99-96, Tuesday in NCAA Season 99 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Cunanan and Valdez sparked the run when they combined for 11 points, which turned a six-point deficit in OT into the Pirates halting a three-game skid and snaring their seventh win that catapulted them back to No. 3 and in strong Final Four contention.

'The boys just refused to give up,' said LPU coach Gilbert Malabanan.

LPU surely didn't, as it not only battled back in the extra period, it also overhauled an 11-point deficit early and a nine-point disadvantage with less than five minutes to go in regulation.

And it was because of multiple heroes from LPU headed by the dynamic Cunanan-Valdez duo.

Both had fantastic all-around efforts with Cunanan finishing with 20 points, nine assists, four rebounds, two steals and a block and Valdez ending...