EAC rips JRU, keeps slim s’final hopes

JOLAS Paguia came up big down the stretch as Emilio Aguinaldo College turned back Jose Rizal U, 78-68, last night to stay in Final Four contention in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Struggling with his outside shots, Paguia scored three baskets inside the paint in the last four minutes that helped the Generals hold off the Bombers who refused to wilt despite trailing by double digits in the first and third quarters.

Playing in his final year, Paguia finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Generals who improved to 9-8, putting pressure on No. 4 San Sebastian, which has a 9-7 record while playing Perpetual Help last night.

“My outside shots were not falling so I decided that when I had my chance, I wanted to take a high percentage shot,” said Paguia who missed all of his four three-point attempts.

The Generals are looking to beat Mapua in their last game of the season and hope that San Sebastian at least splits their last two games to forge a playoff for a Final Four berth.

Paguia scored on a layup, before hitting an undergoal stab to extend the Generals’ advantage to 72-64 with 3:02 remaining.

After a Michael Mabulac basket cut the lead, 66-72, Jack Arquero responded with a bank shot and Paguia scored on another drive to wrap up the victory, 76-68, with 36 ticks left.

The Generals got off to a strong start, zooming to a 10-0 lead behind the hot shooting of Jan Jamon who poured 10 of his 15 points in the first period.

The Bombers came out firing on all cylinders in the third period, which they opened with a 12-2 burst to trim the gap, 46-48. But the Generals closed the period with a 9-0 blast to regain control, 62-51.

Cedric Noube dished out another double-double with 18 points and 15 boards.

The scores:

First Game

EAC 78—Noube 18, Jamon 15, Arquero 12, Tayongtong 11, Paguia 11, Castro 7, Onwubere 2, Morada 2,  Saludo 0, Hiole Manga 0, King 0, Munsayac 0.

JRU 68—Mabulac 19, Paniamogan 14, Lasquety 9, Dela Paz 7, Abanto 6, Salaveria 5, Grospe 4, Sanchez 4, Benavides 0.

Quarters: 27-16, 44-32, 62-51, 78-68