By: Brenn Flores
After Jerson Cabiltes established a winning culture in his first season as head coach during NCAA Season 99, Emilio Aguinaldo College has proven that they are no longer just a Cinderella story.
Gone are the days of stumbling Generals; Emilio Aguinaldo College is now ready to emerge as one of the top teams in the NCAA’s centennial season, which begins on September 7 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite being counted out against the top teams, Cabiltes is confident that Season 100 will be the time for the Generals to showcase their capabilities.
“Siguro at least yung mga pinakita namin last year, we’re not the whipping boys of the NCAA anymore,” he said. “Now, the marching order of our beloved president is to win the championship or to make the finals. We’re just soldiers to carry out the task, and we’re going to give our best each game to make that happen.
“We’re going to be the dark horses. Kasi everybody’s talking about CSB, San Beda, Mapua, we’re just going to be the dark horses.”
The Generals have undergone a significant overhaul with the addition of Harvey Pagsanjan and Deo Lucero, as well as a quartet of former Arellano standouts: Jude Bagay, Axel Doromal,and Jude Bagay.
Despite the departures of key players such as JP Maguliano, Ralph Robin, and Nat Cosejo, team captain King Gurtiza is optimistic that the experience brought by the new recruits will propel the team into Final Four contention.
“‘Yong mga nadagdag saming mga piyesa. Although, tatlong nawala saamin na beterano, si Robin, Casejo at si Maguliano, yung napalit naman samin, sa tingin ko mas okay para makapasok kami sa Final Four,” Gurtiza said.
“Big names talaga yung mga nadagdag saamin. Sila Harvey, sila Axel. Yung leadership ko parang nakatulong sila para maboost pa lalo yung team namin. Di lang ako yung nagsasalita, andiyan sila nakatulong. Hindi porket bago sila di daw sila magsasalita ganun. Nakikinig parin kami sakanila kasi mga beterano pa rin naman sila.”
The 6-foot guard from Cavite acknowledges that breaking into the upper echelons of the NCAA will require overcoming top teams, specifically San Beda, who have had the Generals’ number in their past 26 meetings.
“Yun nga parati kong sinasabi pag tinatanong ko sino ‘yong team to beat, Beda parin talaga kasi. Simula noong rookie ako hindi pa ako nananalo sakanila hanggang ngayong last season ko eh. Sabi ko nga last season ko na and gusto ko mag-iwan ng magandang mark sa school namin na mapasok na sa final four, and hopefully championship,” said Gurtiza.
“Pero focus muna kami sa first game namin which is against Arellano, then, one step at a time lang, one game at a time.”
