EMILIO Aguinaldo pounced on a complacent San Sebastian side to fashion out a 77-67 stunner and kick off its second round campaign yesterday in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena.
The Generals surprised the Stags to take a 15-point lead after the first quarter and finished strong after San Sebastian closed to within a point going into the final period.
It was only the third win in 10 games for the Generals, who leaned on Igee King, Russell Yaya and Cameroonian Noube Happi to post their first win over the Stags since 2009.
San Beda flashed its old dominating form in the second game, whipping Lyceum, 77-47, to take solo leadership at 8-2. The Pirates fell to their fifth straight defeat for a 2-8 card.
The Stags, co-leaders at the end of the first round of eliminations with Jose Rizal and San Beda, drew lackluster games from Calvin Abueva and Ronald Pascual and absorbed their third loss in 10 outings.
Yaya scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Happi contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds. King, son of former PBA star Abe King, had 17 points and five rebounds.
The Generals bucked the absence of coach Gerry Esplana and teammates Jorem Morada and Francis Munsayac who served their one-game suspension following a melee during their game against St. Benilde.
“We prepared for them, we followed our game plan which is to control Abueva and Pascual,” said Aguinaldo assistant coach and former PBA player Andy de Guzman.
Pascual made only one of 16 attempts to finish with 10 points.
The pro-bound Abueva also appeared like he’s too excited going into today’s PBA draft where he is expected to be selected at least as the second pick overall. The 6-foot-3 Abueva could only make nine points and eight rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Lyceum Baby Pirates committed what could be a record 73 turnovers in losing earlier to the Red Cubs, 171-22. The Cubs improved to 10-1 while the Baby Pirates remained winless in 10 games.
First Game:
EAC 77—Yaya 18, Happi 17, King 17, Tayontong 11, Monteclaro 5, Jamon 3, Chiong 3, Paguia 3, Sanchez 0, Acebron 0, Mallari 0.
SSC 67—Sangalang 24, Dela Cruz 14 , Pascual 10, Abueva 9, Maiquez 4,Antipuesto 2, Miranda 2, Juico 2, Binuya 0, Rebullos 0, Balucanag 0.
Quarters: 26-11, 43-38, 58-57, 77-67.