Martin San Diego | FCF
Emilio Aguinaldo College closed out the first round cruising to its third straight win and its best first round record in team history, trouncing the cellar-dwelling Mapua Institute of Technology, 89-80, in Thursday’s NCAA seniors hoops at the San Juan Arena.
The Generals banked on an 11-0 spurt midway in the fourth quarter to transform the see-saw battle into a rout.
Second-generation swingman Igee King scored five points in said run, which liftes the Generals to an unsurmountable lead, 80-70.
“Magandang motivation ito sa mga bata,” remarked EAC head coach Gerry Esplana after the game. “Mataas na mataas ang morale nila to end the first round.”
Starting flat in the first quarter facing an 11-21 deficit, the Generals kept in pace with the undermanned Cardinals through the outside sniping of power forward Jolas Paguia and Jan Jamon, and the steady playmaking of point guards Francis Munsayac, John Tayongtong, and Jorem Morada.
“We’re lucky na meron kaming point guards na maaasahan. Malalim ang team sa point guards at malaki ang tiwala ko sa kanila kaya nabibigyan sila ng fair playing time,” Esplana said.
“Kay Igee naman, scorer talaga yan. Mas lalong inspired sya ngayon na nandito na sa Pinas ang tatay nya, the great Abe King,” he continues, referring to the former pro legend in ’80s.
Being overtaken in the third quarter and facing a nine-point deficit, 44-53, the Cardinals, playing without a benched Joseph Eriobu and a thrown out Jessie Saitanan, fought back through relentless attacks from power forward Mark Brana and point guard CJ Isit to end the third quarter tied at 63.
A see-saw fourth quarter ensued with Paguia and Cardinal forward Kenneth Ighalo trading perimeter baskets, and General center Cedric Noube Happi and Mark Brana exchanging inside stabs.
The subsequent 11-0 run was sparked by a putback by Happi in the five-minute mark, followed by back-to-back outside shots by King, and a crushing three-pointer from Paguia.
Despite efforts by Ighalo to keep the Cardinals within fighting distance, Tayongtong sank five out six free throws to ice the game.
The Generals, led by Paguia with 18 points, six rebounds, and three booming blocks, are now tied with the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags for fifth place at 4-5.
The Cardinals, topscored by Ighalo and Darrel Magsigay with 21 points each, end the first round at last place with a 1-8 card.
Second round of NCAA basketball action will start on Saturday, September 1, with a doubleheader pitting Intramuros neighbors Mapua and league-leading Letran Knights, to be followed by a grudge match between defending champions San Beda Red Lions and their first round tormentors Lyceum Pirates.
