Ralph Bajon caught fire for Emilio Aguinaldo College, ending the Generals’ run Group A of the 2022 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup with an 80-63 triumph over Mapua University in an 80-63, Saturday in San Juan City.
Bajon posted a game-high 20 points built on three triples.
EAC ended their campaign with the same record as University of the East, 4-4, while Mapua stayed in the bottom with a hapless 0-8 record.
“Napakalaking bagay especially that we won four games against a very good team. We were just hoping nga lang sana kanina na kumpleto ang Mapua, but certainly, the game is a good fight and we learn a lot from it, from this game,” said EAC head coach Oliver Bunyi.
Leading by 15 at the start of the finl frame, 60-45, JC Luciano, Adam Doria, and Bajon of the Generals enacted a 14-9 run ending with a Kris Gurtiza fade away to get a 20-point cushion, 74-54, with 3:23 remaining in the game.
Gurtiza and Luciano got 15 and 14 points respectively, with the former getting five boards, and a steal, while the latter added seven rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Umpad registered nine markers to go along with six rebounds and a dime.
Jopet Soriano, meanwhile willed the Cardinals with 18 points, with 6-of-6 shooting from the field, along with nine boards. Cyrus Cuenco supplied 16 points, two boards, and three dimes, while Bryan Lacap was only limited to two points in 19-minutes of playing time.
Warren Bonifacio and Adrian Nocum were not present in the last game of Mapua. The Cardinals missed their last two assignments of the tournament due to protocols.
Up next for the Generals is defending NCAA champion Letran on opening day of the Grand Old League on September 10. Mapua, meanwhile, takes on San Beda on the same day.
The Scores:
EAC 80 — Bajon 20, Gurtiza 15, Luciano 14, Umpad 9, Ad. Doria 8, Tolentino 5, Balowa 3, Liwag 2, An. Doria 2, Bacud 2, Maguliano 0, Dominguez 0, Cabuhat 0, Villaflor 0.
Mapua 63 — Soriano 18, Cuenco 16, Garcia 8, Hernandez 6, Salenga 4, Mercado 4, Cudiamat 3, Lacap 2, Milan 2, Evangelista 0.
Quarterscores: 21-7, 38-31, 60-45, 80-63.
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The entire 2022 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup will stream LIVE on Smart Sports Facebook page
