NCAA: EAC, Benilde gun for share of 4th

MANILA—Emilio Aguinaldo College and St. Benilde try to break out of the funk as both squads end their first-round campaign bidding for a share of fourth in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament Wednesday.

Both coming off losses, the Generals and the Blazers aim to catch up with idle Lyceum with a fourth victory in the 2 p.m. match at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Basement dwellers Arellano and Perpetual Help also bid to end their first-round campaign with a win at 4 p.m.

Coach Gerry Esplana said even if his Generals—tied at 3-5 with St. Benilde and Jose Rizal University–already surpassed their last season’s record by one win, there’s no reason for the team to slow down.

“Last year we only had two wins, so it seems like there’s no more pressure, but I still want them to come out and play,” said Esplana.

The Generals are banking on Jan Jamon, who averages a team-best 14.3 points, Joshua Torralba and Claude Cubo.

“We’re in a good position,” said Esplana. “It’s still anybody’s ballgame and most of the teams still have a strong chance.”

On the Generals’ watchlist are St. Benilde’s top gunner Carlo Lastimosa and key cogs Paolo Taha, Mark Romero and Jonathan Grey.

The Blazers aim to come out strong this time after a poor first-half effort that had them trailing early in their 64-60 setback against Arellano last Friday.

It’s the game, though, that Arellano hopes to build on as the Chiefs snapped a five-game losing skid for their second win in eight outings.

“I’m really looking for more players to step up,” said Arellano mentor Leo Isaac, who has been relying on Andrian Celada, Rocky Acidre and Jerald Lapuz.

The Altas, meanwhile, hope to end a three-game skid after another 65-63 heartbreaker against Mapua last Monday.