History
Prior to joining the NCAA, the Lyceum Pirates was a member of National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA), producing players such as Gary David and Chico Lanete, who led their team in three runners-up finishes in the early 2000s. During the off-season, they join other tournaments such as Home and Away Invitational League (HAIL), Fr. Martin Cup, among others.
In 2009, Lyceum and other schools formed Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association (ISAA). Lyceum, led by long-time coach Bonnie Tan and ISAA MVP Joseph Abaya, became the inaugural champions of the league.
In 2010, the Pirates, led by Joseph Abaya, Rich Guevarra, Fritz Gerald Ong, and ISAA MVP Reggie Rimando, claimed back-to-back ISAA titles after sweeping La Consolacion College Blue Royals in their Best-of-Three Finals series. With their title conquest, the Pirates gained a Sweet 16 slot for the 2010 Philippine Collegiate Championship. After the season, Lyceum left ISAA to seek a membership in the NCAA.
Lyceum finally entered the NCAA as a guest team in 2011. [2] In 2014, after finishing seventh place, long-time head coach Bonnie Tan stepped down from his position. [6]
In 2015, Lyceum is now elevated as a regular member of the NCAA. [3] Lyceum management hired former San Sebastian Stags mentor Topex Robinson as its new head coach. [7] However they failed to make it to the Final Four since joining the league. In 2016, former San Sebastian Stag CJ Perez transferred to Lyceum after his brief stint in Ateneo. [8]
In 2017, the Pirates, led by CJ Perez, MJ Ayaay, and Cameroonian Mike Nzeusseu, swept the elimination rounds, finally entered the playoffs and secured the first Finals berth for the first time since joining the league. [9] However, they were swept by the defending champions San Beda Red Lions. [10] CJ Perez was named season MVP. [11]
Entering the 2018 season, the Pirates are still the favorites to win the title after they failed to capture it last season. [12] Finishing 15–3 win–loss record, Lyceum placed 2nd and again barged in the playoffs and faced the Letran Knights in the Final Four. Led again by CJ Perez and Mike Nzeusseu, the Pirates demolished the Knights, 109–85, and entered the Finals. [13] Again, they faced their tormentors last season, the San Beda Red Lions. Before facing San Beda in the best-of-three Finals series, the league suspended CJ Perez for one game after failing to inform the NCAA of his intention to join the 2018 PBA Draft. [14] Without CJ Perez, the Red Lions manhandled the Pirates in Game 1, 73–60. [15] Head coach Topex Robinson avoided suspension after he aired his public criticism of the league over the suspension of Perez to the media. [16] Even though CJ Perez returned to play in Game 2 after his suspension, San Beda swept the Pirates and claimed its third straight championship. [17]
In 2019, the Pirates, led by holdovers Mike Nzeusseu and the Marcelino twins, Jayvee and Jaycee, finished second after the elimination rounds and awaiting the winner of the first round of the step-ladder match between the Stags and the Knights. Lyceum then faced Letran in the second round of the step-ladder semifinals. [18] However, they failed to defeat the Knights in the semifinals. [19] Jaycee Marcelino was named one of the Mythical Five of the season.
In 2020, longtime Lyceum assistant coach Jeff Perlas replaced Topex Robinson as the new head coach of the Lyceum Pirates [20] after the latter was promoted to interim head coach, and then full-time head coach of the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the PBA. [21] [22] Topex Robinson, however, will remain to Lyceum as a team consultant. [23]
