Filoil: EAC Generals shoot down HTC

MANILA, Philippines — Emilio Aguinaldo College fought off Holy Trinity College, 79-69, in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup Wednesday at the Arena in San Juan.

Jack Arquero scored a team-high 16 points before fouling out in the final two minutes for the Generals.

EAC won despite turning the ball over 24 times and their head coach Gerry Esplana knows it’s a concern heading into their next preseason games and in the coming NCAA season.

“It’s something that worries me because the NCAA is just around the corner,” Esplana said, adding that most of his team’s turnovers were unforced.  “I just don’t want us to make the same mistakes. I want them to learn from it.”

Guard Remy Morada flirted with a triple-double collecting eight points, eight rebounds and 11 assists, one of which was a kickout pass to Edsel Saludo, who nailed the dagger 3-pointer that stretched the Generals lead to 11, 76-65, with 1:55 left.

Noube Happi’s health also concerns Esplana with the Cameroonian center battling a pinched nerve in his lower back.

“Happi has a lingering back pain. It’s not severe but it’s been bothering him for two to three months now. The doctor said it’s just a matter of playing above the pain,” said Esplana.

Happi still wound up with four points and 11 rebounds in 24 minutes.

Meylan Landicho topscored for the General Santos City-based HTC, which remained winless after four stints.

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