Happi brings joy to EAC squad

A WEEK after pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the 88th NCAA season, Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) notched another milestone.

The Generals, drawing another big performance from Cameroonian center Noube Happi, overwhelmed the Arellano Chiefs, 76-57, last night for their third straight victory at  Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Happi atoned for an error-filled outing with a tremendous offensive showing, scattering 26 points, built on 8-of-11 field goal shooting and a perfect 9-for-9 clip from the free throw line.

The win marked the first time the Generals strung up three victories since joining the league three seasons ago. It also allowed EAC to tie its victims at 4-7.

“The maturity of the team is a work in progress, but our hard work is paying off,” said EAC coach Gerry

Esplana. “We showed mental toughness and a lot of sustained power. Everyone in the team contributed.”

San Beda banked on a fiery start to repulse St. Benilde, 74-56, in the second game to stay on top of the field.

The Lions pounced on the listless Blazers early, building a 20-point lead before halftime on their way to a ninth victory in 11 games.

Anjo Caram and Jake Pascual wound up with 13 points each for the Lions, who extended their winning run to three games since losing to San Sebastian.

The Lions got another solid effort from sophomore guard Baser Amer, who managed just 2 points but dished out 11 assists.

The Blazers fell to their fourth consecutive defeat and eighth overall in 11 games on the day coach Richard del Rosario marked his 45th birthday.

After blowing an early double-digit lead, the Generals looked a totally different team in the second half, aggressively attacking the Chiefs’ interior defense with Happi at the helm.

The 6-foot-6 Happi, who had a season-high 10 turnovers, unloaded 14 points in the last two periods as the Generals broke away to establish a 48-35 lead.

The scores:

First Game

ARELLANO 76—Happi 25, Tayongtong 11, Chiong 10, Paguia 9, Jamon 7, Yaya 4, Munsayac 2, Monteclaro 2, Morada 2, King 2, Sanchez 2.

EAC 57—Pinto 12, Forrester 12, Caperal 7, Acidre 7, Zulueta 5, Hernandez 4, Cadavis 4, Salcedo 4, Bangga 2, Espiras 0.

Quarters: 9-15, 25-25, 35-43, 55-76.

Second Game

SAN BEDA 74—Caram 13, J. Pascual 13, Adeogun 11, Dela Cruz 10, Moralde 8, Mendoza 8, Koga 7, Amer 2, K. Pascual 2, Lim 0, Dela Rosa 0.

ST. BENILDE 56—Sinco 9, Lastimosa 7,  Bartolo 7, Grey 7, Taha 6, Maconocido 6, Altamirano 5,  Dela Paz 4, Romero 4, Ongteco 2, Deles 0, Carlos 0.

Quarters: 18-11, 44-24, 55-44, 74-56.