EAC head coach Ariel Sison. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Despite bowing out of the NCAA Season 92 Final Four race, Emilio Aguinaldo coach Ariel Sison still sees the campaign as a fruitful one for the Generals.
“For me, maayos naman ang pinakita namin. Natalo kami pero close games karamihan. If you would recall, in the past seasons, laging malaki ang lamang. Ngayon naman kahit paano, napilit namin idikit at na-surpass namin yung panalo namin last season,” Sison said.
The Generals’ 82-72 defeat to Mapua on Thursday is a prime example of that as Sison’s team kept the game close until a fourth quarter breakaway by the Cardinals sealed the outcome.
“Yung mga wing, doon nagkaproblema,” he said. “Na-stop namin yung (Allwell) Oraeme at (Joseph) Eriobu pero ang naging problema yung mga wing nila. Sila ang pumatay sa amin ngayon. Pero ganun talaga, mas gustong manalo ng Mapua kaysa sa amin.”
With still three games remaining in EAC’s schedule, it has already surpassed last year’s 2-16 output with five wins. But the Generals are not stopping there.
“Ang importante sa amin ngayon, makakuha kami ng mas maraming panalo sa last three games para maayos ang standing namin,” he said, with San Sebastian, St. Benilde, and Letran remaining on their schedule.
Sison is just keeping a positive attitude going forward, as he hopes to build on this final three games to better prepare the Generals for next year’s campaign.
“Mas nakikita ko na mas maganda ang mangyayari next season,” he said. EAC is set to lose Igee King, Jerald Serrano, and Jorem Morada due to graduation this year.
“May recruits kami na alam naming makakatulong sa team. Doon kami magre-rely ngayon. Hopefully, mas magandang season ang naghihintay sa amin sa Season 93.”