With the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals on the verge of another collapse, Jorem Morada, who had missed the majority of last season due to a disagreement with former head coach Andy de Guzman, saved the day.
Morada scored all 14 of his points in a blistering rally that turned the tides of the game, as EAC were able to hold off a hungry Lyceum of the Philippines University squad, 64-57, to close out the opening weekend of the 92nd Season of the NCAA.
The foreign student-athlete anchored the Generals to the tune of 16 points on 7-for-10 shooting, 13 rebounds, and three blocks. The returning Igee King added 15 points.
“Thankful ako kasi ang ganda ng welcome. First game ko sa seniors I was given this win,” shared first year head coach Ariel Sison. “Hindi ko alam kung ano sasabihin. Thank you to my players.”
But it was Morada who stole the show.
“Ginawa ko lang yung part ko as a player,” fifth year General Jorem Morada said. “Last year ko na kasi kaya ginawa ko na lang lahat. Sabi ko lang sa sarili ko ‘welcome back to me and Igee King.'”
Having already choked on their once double-digit lead, the Generals saw themselves give up the lead early in the final frame, as big man Harry Nzeusseu lifted the Pirates by scoring four points in an 8-1 rally that gave Lyceum their first lead of the game.
With the Pirates holding a 49-45 lead, Morada banked in his first triple of the game to cut the lead to just a solitary point. This was followed by a breakaway layup by Igee King and a basket by Francis Munsayac.
The Pirates, though, continued to hound the Generals as they the lead down to just a solitary point. With 1:16 remaining and EAC holding a 54-53 lead, Morada knocked down another triple. The senior followed it up by taking a charge from Mark Malabanan, and was able to grab a foul from the latter while attempting a three-pointer.
After knocking down all three free throws, Morada, gaining the hot hand, crossed up Jebb Bulawan and knocked down his third triple of the game to ice the game with 30.4 ticks remaining.
“I told them to step-up. We really needed to win this season,” Sison said. “I don’t know what to say. Finally I felt yung feeling na masarap pala manalo.”
Wilson Baltazar paced the Pirates with 19 points and six boards. Nzeusseu added 14 points and 14 rebounds in his NCAA debut.
The EAC Generals (1-0) look to match their total wins last season as they face the Letran Knights (0-1) on Tuesday, June 28 at 12:00nn. The Pirates (0-1), on the other hand, face San Beda on the same day at 2:00pm.
The Scores:
EAC (64) – Laminou 16, King 15, Morada 14, Munsayac 10, Onwubere 5, Pascua 2, Aguas 2, Corilla 0, Guzman 0, Mendoza 0, Diego 0, General 0, Serrano 0, Estacio 0.
LPU (57)– Baltazar 19, Nzeusseu 14, Alanes 8, Bulawan 4, Caduyac 4, Marata 4, Ayaay 2, Serafico 2, Malabanan 0, Alban 0, Rubite 0.
Quarterscores: 19-9, 32-21, 39-36, 64-57.
