Filoil: Close call vs Lyceum would help EAC grow, says coach

MANILA, Philippines — Emilio Aguinaldo came close to giving Lyceum its first win after it blew a commanding lead Monday in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup.

But despite it, head coach Gerry Esplana saw the Generals’ 85-82 win as something that would benefit the team in the long run.

The Generals held a 12-point lead after the first two quarters but it was a different story in the second half as the Pirates battled back to even take a one-point lead, 77-76, with 2:21 remaining.

“I told my players that basketball is a game of spurts, may mga momentum swings yan. You cannot take Lyceum for granted,” said Esplana.

Lyceum had a chance to take the lead in the final 19 seconds but missed a couple of opportunities.

Esplana was pleased with how his team pushed past a nip-and-tuck game but didn’t like how his players lacked that finishing kick which allowed Lyceum to get back.

“Sana lang ma-develop yung killer’s instincts namin. Nag let-up eh. Bumaba yung level namin.”

Big man Ely Paguia stepped up in the absence of Noube Happi, who got a scare after leaning on to his wrist, which just healed, during practice last Friday with 15 points and nine rebounds.

Diminutive point guard Francis Munsayac found a way to put up 14 points and dish out five assists despite the Pirates’ pressure.

“They took advantage of my size because they’re bigger than me so ang ginawa ko naman dinaan ko sa bilis,” Munsayac said.

Sane Ko paced the Pirates, who also came close to beating De La Salle and University of Santo Tomas, with 15 points and eight assists.

EAC won its second straight game after five consecutive losses while Lyceum absorbed its seventh setback in a row.