Chiefs edge three-time defending NCAA champs, Warriors sink Pirates

UE center Charles Mammie muscles his way into the paint against Lyceum forward Andrei Mendoza in their 2013 Filoil Flying V Pre-Season match on Wednesday. (FCF / Vyn Radovan)

Despite losing a huge halftime lead, Emilio Aguinaldo College holds on to gain their first win in six games following Wednesday’s Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Premier Cup fixtures at The Arena in San Juan City.

The previously winless Generals (1-5), led by the returning Noube Happi, registered a narrow 73-68 victory over perennial NCAA contenders San Sebastian in the day’s main match.

In just his second game back following a two month layoff due to a wrist injury, the Cameroonian big man Happi registered 19 points and 17 rebounds. John Monteclaro added 12 points and 7 rebounds.

Throughout the second period, the Generals held down the Stags to just four points on their way to registering a 14-point advantage, 42-28, entering the halftime break.

But San Sebastian slowly found their second wind in the final 20 minutes, led by the fiery hand of Jon Rebollos who made 4-for-6 shots from beyond the arc during that stretch to tie the game at 65 entering the last two minutes.

However, Jolas Paguia’s undergoal putback with less than a minute to go, compounded by the Stags’ inability to convert on their final possessions finally gave the win to the Generals.

“We wanted to treat each game as a tuneup game so that everyone could prove their worth. Maganda yung nilaro namin nung first half, (pero sa) second half, nawala yung rhythm namin,” said EAC head coach Gerry Esplana following the game.

(FCF / Vyn Radovan)

Meanwhile, John Pinto led the way for Arellano University, as they dealt San Beda just their second loss of the tournament via a 67-66 victory.

The second year point guard piled on 17 points and 7 rebounds, while Fil-Canadian swingman James Forrester added 11 points.

Rome Dela Rosa finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds, as San Beda slides down to third place at 4-2.

On the other hand, University of the East keeps Lyceum winless in five games following an 82-72 decision.

Charles Mammie dominated the match with 14 points and 15 rebounds, while guard Roi Sumang topped all scorers with 19 points in the game for the now 5-2 Red Warriors.

Mark Francisco led the struggling Pirates with 14 points.