EAC hands error-slinging JRU third loss

Receiving a generous boost from their foes’ late errors, the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals escaped the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 26-24, 21-25, 24-26, 25-21, 16-14, for their second win in NCAA Season 93 at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

JRU had the upper hand for much of the fifth set, taking a 4-1 cushion at the onset. Their own errors, however, gave the Generals room to concoct a comeback. Three straight JRU errors gave EAC a 14-13 lead before the Bombers forced a deuce. A service error followed, setting up EAC’s game-winning block from middle blocker Paulo Lim.

“Mababa talaga ‘yung nilaro namin noong mga set na natalo kami. Pero nandoon naman ‘yung kagustuhan ng mga bata bumawi. Nagawa naman noong dulo,” said EAC head coach Rod Palmero.

The Bombers finished with 48 errors, 12 less than EAC’s 36. This was the only scoring category JRU did not win as they had more spikes, aces, and blocks.

Lim finished with 15 points, the match-clinching block being his only rejection of the game. Joshua Mina led the Generals with 18 markers.

The Generals (2-1) next face last year’s runner-up University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas (2-0) on Thursday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

Team captain Patrick Rabaja topped the Bombers with 21 points while Wenjo Lahaylahay added 15.

The Heavy Bombers lost their third straight game, the second match in which they were leading in sets.

JRU tries to rebound against the undefeated Arellano University (3-0) on Tuesday.

The Scores

EAC (3) – Mina 18, Lim 15, Ilano 11, Rasing 9, Castellano 5, Garcia 3, Panoy 2, Lumbad 1, Magadan (L)

JRU (2) – Rabaja 21, Salazar 17, Lahaylahay 15, Sulivas 10, Cebrero 5, Ferwelo 5, Cruz 1, Francisco 0, Soriano 0, Mecaller (L)