Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Emilio Aguinaldo College established authority early on and coasted to a 74-64 win over St. Benilde Friday in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Cameroonian big man Hamadou Laminou showed no signs of rust coming off an MCL injury in the preseason and imposed his presence with his 21 points, 13 rebounds, and seven blocks.
Sidney Onwubere also did the dirty work, doing it all with his 11 markers, 14 boards, four assists, three steals, and a block for the Generals, who started the season with a win.
“I’m so thankful that they responded well,” said coach Ariel Sison, who exuded in confidence as he expects a Final Four run this season for EAC.
“We’re hoping that we can make it to the Final Four. We’re doing our best in our practices and we’re hoping that we can do well this year.”
Francis Munsayac also chipped in nine points, six assists, and two rebounds in the conquest.
The Generals jumped to an early 25-13 advantage and continued to pounce on the hapless Blazers, extending the lead to as high as 24, 61-37, at the end of the third period.
Clement Leutcheu topped St. Benilde, which dropped to 1-1, with nine points and eight rebounds in the defeat.
The Scores:
EAC 74 – Laminou 21, Onwubere 11, Munsayac 9, Garcia 6, Pascua 5, Mendoza 5, Neri 5, Guzman 4, Diego 4, Corilla 3, Tampoc 1, Bautista 0, Mendoza 0, Altiche 0.
ST. BENILDE 64 – Leutcheu 9, San Juan 8, Belgica 8, Mercado 7, Johnson 6, Bunyi 6, Naboa 4, Young 4, Velasco 4, Sta. Maria 3, Castor 2, Dixon 2, Domingo 1, Pili 0.
Quarters: 25-13, 44-25, 61-37, 74-64.