Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals finally broke their losing skid against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 68-59, and notched their first win of the 2016 FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Maroons started the first quarter on a fiery note as they mounted 11-1 off Jayjay Espanola and Diego Dario. However, the Generals turned it around after a timeout and cut the deficit to four, 12-16, at the end of the first quarter.
EAC continued their momentum in the second half and took the lead, 19-16, at the 7:15 mark after a Jervin Guzman trey. The Taft-based squad continued their rampage and stole the lead at the break, 30-27.
“Siguro kasi we are hungry for the win since we are down 0-3. Sinabi ni Coach Aris namin na kelangan namin mag-contribute especially on defense,” Generals assistant coach Bong Melacoton, who was filling in for Aris Sison, said. “Nag-lapse kami sa depensa namin the past three games kaya ginawa namin lahat ng makakakaya namin sa practice.”
The Maroons tried to keep in step at the second half through the efforts of Dave Moralde, but the sweet shooting of Irvin Mendoza cancelled it out.
The Generals did not let up this time and posted their biggest lead bat 11 with a booming triple off EAC point guard Francis Munsayac, 68-57. EAC held off UP in the dying seconds and took their maiden win of the Cup.
EAC’s Hamadou Laminou lorded it over with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks. Meanwhile, Sydney Onwubere posted a wonderful game with 16 markers and 17 rebounds. Mendoza had a timely 11 points to go with six caroms.
“Sobrang saya kasi nanalo na rin kami. Sobrang lapit na kasi ng NCAA,” Onwubere said about their maiden win. “Lagi sa amin sinasabi nila coach na kelangan namin mag-umpisa, ang problema namin lagi kami slow start. Sabi ni coach, start na kami sa first quarter at go hard sa last.”
“Sobrang laki na pasasalamat namin na nanalo kami today kasi madadala namin ito sa NCAA. Talagang competitive team ang tinalo namin. Siguro tuloy-tuloy na ito,” Melacoton added.
Diego Dario paced the Maroons with 12 markers
Diego Dario paced the undermanned Maroons with 12 points, with Dave Moralde chipping in 11 markers. Andrew Harris grabbed 16 boards in the loss.
The Fighting Maroons were without scorers Jett Manuel and Paul Desiderio for the game.
The EAC Generals (A, 1-3) look to build on this win as they face the winless CSB Blazers on Thursday, May 26 at 3:15pm. On the other hand, the UP Fighting Maroons (A, 2-2) face the Arellano University Chiefs on Friday, May 27 at 3:15.pm.
The Scores:
EAC (68) – Laminou 23, Onwubere 16, Mendoza 11, Munsayac 8, Pascua 6, Guzman 3, Diego 1, King 0, Neri 0, Aguas 0, General 0, Aderes 0, Umali 0.
UP (59) – Dario 12, Moralde 11, Romero 7, Harris 5, Lao 5, Asilum 5, Vito 4, Sablan 4, Espanola 3, Battad 3, Ong 0.
Quarterscores: 12-16, 30-27, 52-50, 68-59.
