By MARK REY MONTEJO 

Lyceum head coach Gilbert Malabanan wouldn't let his guards down despite the team's early success in the NCAA Season 99 men's basketball tournament.

Malabanan's goal remains the same after the Pirates extended their unbeaten run to four games: lead the team to the Finals.

The tactician reminded his wards not to relax after scoring an 83-72 win over San Sebastian on Tuesday, Oct. 3.

“Ayoko sanang nagre-relax lang [sila], sabi ko nga 4-0 kami pero kailangan pa rin naming pagtrabahuhan pa, kasi nga this is not our goal,” Malabanan said.

Malabanan said that their main goal is to advance to the finals and they must remain focused no matter what their standing is.

“Our goal is going on the top sa finals, yan ang goal namin e [makapasok] sa finals, [winning] championship and everybody’s goal naman yun eh. Pero ngayon palang kailangan namin magwork as a team, kailangan namin ayusin kahit yung simple things, yun yung kontrolado namin,” Malabanan stressed.

“We’re gonna take everything [na] hindi light ang mga teams na makakalaban namin, we’ll take it as a contender. I’m not looking for the standing, I’m looking on how we play the game and how we respect the game,” he said.