Arellano University, Emilio Aguinaldo down foes in FilOil Preseason Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Arellano University and Emilio Aguinaldo came back from a double-digit deficit to down respective foes Saturday in the 2012 FilOil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup at the Arena in San Juan.

The Chiefs, who are now under head coach Koy Banal, trailed by 14 points before turning back Lyceum, 89-81, while the Generals overcame St. Benilde, 77-72, in overtime.

Adam Serjue caught fire from downtown en route to a 22-point night to go along with three rebounds and four assists to lead Arellano.

Serjue went four-of-four from three.

Happi Noube finished with game-highs of 15 points and 18 rebounds for Arellano, which also drew solid play from its backcourt.

“Most of them [my players] are try-out status and I told them this is their opportunity to show your worth,” said EAC head coach Gerry Esplana.

“What I’m looking for is hard work, that’s where we’ll start,” added Esplana.

Pocket-sized playmaker Francis Munsayac and hot-shooting John Monteclaro gave the Generals a much-needed spark.

Monteclaro added 12 points, all from deep, while Munsayac had nine points including a steady on-ball defense that forced crucial errors from the Blazers down the stretch.

Jan Hamon pounced CSB’s bad transition defense as he came free and sank a short stab that completed the Generals’ comeback from 63-68 to forge overtime.

EAC bucked the absence of inside operator Russell Yaya, who fouled out with still a shade below four minutes left in regulation. Yaya ended up with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Carlo Lastimosa paced the Blazers with 15 points on top of six assists and five steals. He did however, commit four turnovers, most of which came at crunchtime.