Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals survive Arellano Chiefs, 85-79
THE Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals won their second consecutive game yesterday after defeating the Arellano Chiefs, 85-79, in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) action at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Bucking the sidelining of Cameroonian Hamadou Laminou early in the contest with an apparent knee injury, the Generals dug deep as a group to survive the tough challenge posted by the Chiefs to emerge victorious.
The win was the second straight for EAC, which improved to 3-2, while Arellano dropped to 2-4.
The Generals dictated the tempo right at the start, resulting in a 22-20 lead for them at the end of the first period.
They continued to hold sway early in the second canto but the Chiefs would fight back, tying the score at 26-all halfway with 6:10 to go.
Sydney Onwubere, Francis Munsayac and Jesse Bautista, however, would conspire to help the Generals build their biggest lead of eight points, 41-33, in the next four minutes.
The Chiefs though would not relent in their attack, going on a 10-2 run to finish the quarter to knot the score at 43-all by halftime.
Arellano began the third period like a house on fire, outscoring EAC, 10-4, in the opening minutes and build a six-point cushion, 53-47.
The Generals then made their way back, countering with an 11-5 blast of their own behind the hot shooting of Jerome Garcia to level things at 58-all with 2:18 remaning in the period.
Garcia continued to tow his team in the closeout, with help from Munsayac to help their team to stay ahead, 67-58, at the end of the third quarter.
Like in the third period, Arellano came out strong in the payoff period, with Kent Salado leading it.
The Chiefs cut their deficit to three, 69-66, with five minutes remaining before Garcia and Bautista teamed up to extend their lead anew, 76-66 at the 3:55 mark.
Arellano tried desperately to claw its way back but could only manage to come within two points, 81-79, with 49 ticks to go before EAC held tight for the win.
Onwubere had a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds for EAC while Bautista had 14 points. Garcia had 13 and Munsayac 11 points.
Salado had 24 points for Arellano, which has dropped three matches in a row following its loss to EAC. Allen Enriquez added 17 points for the Chiefs.
“We really prepared hard for this game. Winning back-to-back was something we hadn’t done before in the NCAA, so my challenge to the team was that,” said EAC coach Ariel Sison after their win.
“Our end game was shaky but I’m happy the players held their composure,” he added.
The EAC coach said they still do not know the status of Laminou but they hope it is something that is not season ending. —