Lyceum head coach Gilbert Malabanan trusts his wards especially in crunch time following their nerve-wracking 84-81 win over College of St. Benilde in NCAA men’s basketball on Friday, Nov. 10.

Malabanan particularly reiterated his belief on Oman Omandac despite the player’s lackluster performance in the first half.

“Actually, iba kasi yung nararamdaman ko pag may ginagamit ako na players eh. Pag nagsisimula kami ng first five namin, iba kasi yung mga feeling na mararamdaman mo, ang gaan ng loob mo dito, may instinct,” Malabanan said.

“Good thing nga yung instinct ko kay Omandac, sabi ko hindi naman nasho-shoot mga tira nito sa labas, pero pagdating ng fourth quarter, ready naman siya lagi,” he added.

Omandac casted into a dry spell after listing 0-4 in beyond the arc in the first three quarters, but he kept his composure that he'll overcome his lethargic shooting night.

“Nagtiwala din ako sa sarili ko. Kahit ilang mintis na yung sa first half, sabi ko sa sarili ko papasok din ito,” said Omandac, who finished with nine points, including his back-to-back triples in the payoff period.

With Omandac’s steely nerves and clutch hits, the Pirates were able to escape the Blazers to bolster their Final Four campaign.

The Intramuros-based squad currently totes an 11-3 win-loss record in tie with the Mapua Cardinals, highlighted by a five-game winning streak.

Lyceum will face San Sebastian in its next contest on Friday, Oct. 17.