Behind a strong finishing kick, Emilio Aguinaldo College continued its late-round surge, punishing the skidding University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 80-76, Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Generals kept their playoff hopes alive in the NCAA Season 95 Seniors Basketball Tournament, raising their slate to 3-11. The Altas, on the other hand, dropped to 3-10.
“Actually, I told them the reason why we won against Baste was that we stuck on our game plan. We cannot win by talent and skill alone. We have to stay with the team concept,” said first-year Generals head coach Oliver Bunyi.
And it’s all thanks to the rally started by Jethro Mendoza.
The pint-sized guard knocked down a huge triple with 4:35 left to give EAC a 68-67 cushion. A bucket by Marwin Taywan and a couple of boomers by Mendoza extended the Generals’ lead to six, 75-69, with 2:23 remaining and cap a 16-4 run.
Mendoza had 22 points built on five triples to go along with three rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
“Ang objective na lang namin is to get better every day, every practice. What we’re looking for is to have improvement,” said Bunyi.
Perpetual led by as much as 14 points in the contest.
Kriss Gurtiza had 13 points and five rebounds, JP Maguliano added 11 points and nine rebounds, while JC Luciano chipped in 11 boards and nine markers.
Perpetual was led by Tonton Peralta had 21 points while Edgar Charcos tallied 14 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists. Kim Aurin scattered 12 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
EAC look to make it three in a row when it faces the Lyceum Pirates on Friday, October 4 while Perpetual faces the Benilde Blazers on the same day.
The Scores:
EAC 80 — Mendoza 22, Gurtiza 13, Maguliano 11, Luciano 9, Taywan 7, Martin 7, De Guzman 6, Gonzales 4, Boffa 1, Cadua 0, Corilla 0, Dayrit 0, Carlos 0, Estacio 0.
UPHSD 76 — Peralta 21, Charcos 14, Aurin 12, Razon 11, Adamos 8, Giussani 5, Cuevas 3, Martel 2, Labarda 0, Tamayo 0.
Quarterscores: 13-24, 35-39, 54-55, 80-76.
