Veteran guard Jerome Garcia fired 27 points to power the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals to an 85-72 stopping of the Mapua University Cardinals on Thursday at the Arena in San Juan.
Their fifth win in 11 outings kept the Generals' chances alive in reaching the Final Four of the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.
Garcia poured in 20 points in the first period as the Generals went on to take charge with a 28-22 lead.
Although outrebounded, the Generals hung on to the lead till end, enjoying an 18 point edge at one point.
Coach Ariel Sison said the Generals are close to the no. 4 spot, now that they have caught up with the Letran Knights at fifth.
But, he hopes that they have manpower to make it to the Final Four.
“Sana kaya pa namin,” said Sison.
Sison said they played with one more player, Juju Bautista, recovering from a shoulder injury.
They already missed Hamadou Laminou to an injury, an ACL tear, in the first round.
The Cardinals, led by Laurenz Victoria with 15 points, have a 1-11 record at the bottom of the standings.