EAC’s Remy Morada. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Emilio Aguinaldo College bucked the absence of two veterans to survive College of St. Benilde, 65-62, in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Minus injured point guard Francis Munsayac and suspended forward Onwubere, the Generals drew a collective effort as four of their players contributing at least nine points.
Remy Morada led the way for EAC with a game-high 18 points while Hamadou Laminou added 12 points and six rebounds. Jeric Diego and Jervin Guzman chipped in nine apiece.
“Halos kinain kami sa rebounds, laking kawalan ni Sidney sa rebounds,” said EAC head coach Ariel Sison, whose squad got out-rebounded, 40-29.
“Buti na lang nandiyan si [Jeric] Diego at Jervin [Guzman]. Nag-step up sila. Pinag-usapan namin kanina na sila ang dapat mag-step up.”
Up against the worst team in the league, EAC head coach admitted the team felt a lot of pressure heading into the duel.
“Na-pressure kami siguro na baka kami pa ang unang magbigay ng panalo sa Benilde,” Sison said.
“Hindi kami puwedeng matalo sa Benilde. Kulang pa kami kaya ganun naging resulta siguro pero hindi kami nag-a-underestimate ng kalaban.”
Clement Leutcheu posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds while Carlo Young scored a team-high 14 points on 4-of-12 shooting from the field for the Blazers, who are now owners of the worst record in the history of the league at 0-17.
Interestingly, the previous mark was held by the Generals when they tied Angeles University Foundation’s previous record after finishing 2-16 last season.