LETRAN’S Kevin Racal fouls Jose Morada of EAC as he tries to strip him of possession. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
WITHOUT their coach, the Letran Knights—so strong and so solid all season—looked lost and disjointed.
The Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, struggling for most of the season, were quick to pounce on the opportunity.
Remy Morada and Laminou Hamadou sparkled as the Generals toppled the uninspired Knights, 83-69, yesterday in the biggest upset of the 91st NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
It was the Knights’ first defeat in eight games and it came when rookie coach Aldin Ayo was not on the bench, serving a one-game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Ayo was sacked for a pair of infractions—he ridiculed the referees by showing them his eyeglasses in last week’s game against San Sebastian and then hurled a chair outside their dugout against Lyceum last Tuesday.
The Generals picked the right time to also deliver their finest performance of the season as Morada, quiet for most of the tournament, poured 12 of his 18 points in the final period to take the fight out of the Knights.
The 6-foot-11 Hamadou bullied his way to season-highs of 20 points and 24 rebounds as the Generals notched back-to-back wins to improve to 2-5.
The game proved emotional for Morada, whose mother died exactly a year ago due to cancer. “I’m dedicating this game to her,” said Morada.
In other games, Mapua bucked the absence of suspended head coach Atoy Co to repulse St. Benilde, 76-64, while San Sebastian drew a career performance from sophomore Michael Calisaan to hack out a 77-70 triumph over Lyceum.
The 20-year-old Calisaan exploded for 35 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as the Stags halted a five-game slide while rising to 2-6.
The Pirates lost for the fifth straight game despite getting 17 points from Shaq Alanes and 14 from Cameroonian Jean Nguidjol.
Co also served a one-game ban for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The scores:
First Game
SAN SEBASTIAN 77—Calisaan 35, Ortuoste 15, Costelo 12, Guinto 7, Santos 3, Fabian 3, Capobres 2, Sibal 0, Bragais 0, Pretta 0, Bulanadi 0, Mercado 0.
LYCEUM 70—Alanes 17, Nguidjol 14, Bulawan 9, Sunga 8, Taladua 8, Mbida 7, Baltazar 4, Soliman 2, Lugo 1, Malabanan 0, Lacastesantos 0, Ayaay 0, Elmerjab 0.
Quarters: 20-26, 48-35, 65-50, 77-70
Second Game
EAC 83—Hamadou 20, Onwubere 18, Morada 18, Munsayac 7, Diego 6, Mejos 6, Pascua 3, Bonleon 2, Corilla 2, Mallari 1.
LETRAN 69— Racal 18, Cruz 16, Nambatac 11, Sollano 6, Apreku 4, Balanza 4, Calvo 3, Luib 3, Balagasay 2, Publico 2.
Quarters: 18-13, 28-36, 52-50, 83-69
Third Game
MAPUA 76—Oraeme 19, Menina 13, Nimes 11, Isit 6, Raflores 6, Biteng 4, Que 3, Nieles 3, Villasenor 2, Brana 2, Serrano 0, Dela Rosa 0.
ST. BENILDE 64—J. Domingo 14, Grey 14, Nayve 12, Fajarito 10, San Juan 6, Ongteco 4, Jonson 2, Deles 2, S. Domingo 0, Sta. Maria 0, Castor 0, Saavedra 0, Flores 0, Young 0.
Quarters: 29-7, 47-27, 67-48, 76-64