NCAA: EAC defeats Mapua to score win no. 4

MANILA, Philippines — Emilio Aguinaldo College defeated Mapua, 89-80, Thursday to wrap up its first round campaign in the NCAA season 89 men’s basketball tournament with three straight wins.

The Generals just kept its composure in the payoff period after building a 10-point, 80-70, lead as they managed to keep the determined Cardinals at bay the rest of the game.

Guard Igee King continued to be a revelation for EAC as he unleashed 17 points, while Noube Happi dominated with also 17 points, but 20 rebounds and two huge blocks.

The match was supposed to be played last week but was postponed to a later date due to heavy rains brought about by Typhoon “Maring.”

The Generals are now tied with San Sebastian with a 4-5 record as the league welcomes the second round of eliminations.

Mapua, after dropping their seventh straight, faces a tougher road ahead with league-leading Letran next on its assignment on Saturday.

Kenneth Ighalo had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Generals, but the Cardinals, who even took a 70-69 edge, couldn’t sustain the strength to grab an elusive win.

Darrel Magsigay also had 21 points for the cellar-dwelling Mapua, which even led by 10 points early in the match before losing Jessie Saitanan to an ejection.

In the juniors division, meanwhile, Mapua Red Robins routed EAC-ICA Brigadiers, 101-86.