The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights brought their A-game, but it was not enough to arrest a seven-match slide.
The Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals prevented a reversal of fortunes from last year and outlasted the Intramuros-based opposition in five sets, 23-25, 25-20, 23-25, 27-25, 18-16, late Monday morning at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Last year’s Rookie of the Year Joshua Mina fired off 29 points, 26 coming off attacks. The outside hitter also had two aces and a block.
For team captain Cedrix Rasing, the Generals had simply heeded their coach’s words to counter Letran’s confidence.
“Sumusunod lang kami sa sinasabi ng coaches na i-enjoy lang namin ‘yung game. Huwag kaming pumayag na matalo kami sa kanila,” the graduating middle blocker shared.
Such a light approach brought good things to the Taft-based squad, as they played with improved fluidity in transition in the fourth and fifth sets, despite the pressure from the Knights.
Despite the very slim chance of a shot at the playoffs, Rasing admitted they are more focused on ending the season with wins. “Order lang sa ‘min ni coach, pilitin lang naming manalo ng manalo. Para ‘pag mabigyan ng chance makapasok sa past, we’ll go for it,” the skipper ended.
Letran captain Bobby Gatdula registered a season-best 37 points, but it could not carry the team to the first win.
EAC (3-4) will face the Lyceum of the Philippines University (2-5) on Wednesday. Later that same day, Letran (0-7) and Jose Rizal University (0-7) will battle for that elusive win.
The Scores:
EAC 3 – Mina 29, Ilano 15, Rasing 12, Lim 11, Panoy 9, Castellano 7, Guinto 0, Lumbad 0, Magadan L.
CSJL 2 – Gatdula 37, Cistina 17, Ladeon 9, Almoguerra 7, Alilio 5, Dizon 5, Tumbali 0, Domingo 0, Ramos 0, Timbreza L, Centeno L.
