NCAA: EAC snaps two-game slide, clips Mapua

Sidney Onwubere. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Emilio Aguinaldo regained its form late and turned back Mapua, 77-72, Tuesday in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Sidney Onwubere found his shooting stroke in the second half, drilling four triples in the last two quarters including the shot clock-beating trey off the glass with 27.7 seconds left to push the Generals up, 73-69.

Jerome Garcia followed it up on the defensive end, securing the steal which led to two freebies from Onwubere to put his side up six, 75-69.

Leo Gabo still made a three on the other end with 6.1 ticks left, but time just wasn’t on the Cardinals’ side as they absorbed their third loss in four games.

The Fil-Nigerian Onwubere fired a season-high 22 points on a 4-of-10 sniping from beyond the arc, on top of eight rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in the win to even EAC’s slate at 2-2.

Jervin Guzman added 13 markers and three boards, while Juju Bautista wound up with a double-double of 12 markers and 11 rebounds as he kept the Generals afloat despite Hamadou Laminou fouling out with six minutes still left to play.

“I’m thankful because we did not go 0-3. At least, our losing streak didn’t continue and I’m thankful for that,” said coach Ariel Sison, as EAC halted its two-game losing skid.

Gabo topped Mapua with 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while JB Raflores got 17 markers and eight boards.

Andoy Estrella had 12 points and six rebounds in the loss, as the Cardinals failed to close out the game after battling back from a 56-46 deficit early in the fourth period.

The Scores:

EAC 77 – Onwubere 22, Guzman 13, Bautista 12, Pascua 11, Garcia 8, Mendoza J 6, Munsayac 3, Laminou 2, Tampoc 0, Corilla 0, Neri 0, Altache 0.

MAPUA 72 – Gabo 19, Raflores 17, Estrella 12, Bunag 8, Victoria 7, Aguirre 6, Nieles 3, Orquina 0, Jimenez 0.

Quarters: 13-17, 36-30, 52-46, 77-72.