Spikers’ Turf: EAC, NU clash for lead Monday

Two unbeaten teams with contrasting styles fight for the No. 1 spot in Group A of the Spikers’ Turf Collegiate Conference Monday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Emilio Aguinaldo College, which has soared behind league top scorer Howard Mojica, battles a National University side banking on team effort in the 3 p.m. match that will give the winner a perfect 5-0 record.

“They seem like a one-man team, so maybe we’ll have a chance if we limit [Mojica’s] points,” said NU coach Dante Alinsunurin.

Far Eastern University and Mapua, tied at 1-3 in Group A, also clash in a  1 p.m. duel for the last quarterfinal berth.

EAC, NU and National College of Business and Arts have already secured the first three quarterfinal seats in Group A, while Ateneo, La Salle, University of the Philippines and St. Benilde rounded out the Group B teams advancing to the next round.

Eliminated teams Arellano and De La Salle-Dasmariñas try to close out their campaigns with a victory at 5 p.m.

Mojica, the fiery open spiker who powered the Generals to the NCAA championship last year, stands as the league’s scoring leader with a total of 87 points.

Although Mojica’s winning mentality has rubbed off on his teammates and guest player Jhon Pagtalunan, EAC coach Rodrigo Palmero hopes overconfidence won’t get in the way.

“The players still have a tendency to relax when they’re leading,” said Palmero.