THE Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, spurred on by the deafening cheer of their homecourt crowd, pushed league-leading Lyceum to the limit before eventually yielding as the Pirates posted a scrambling, 97-93, victory in Season 93 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Sports and Cultural Center yesterday, Thursday, August 10.
The Pirates, led by CJ Perez and JC Marcelino, displayed maturity beyond their years by holding on to preserve the victory despite the ejection of head coach Topex Robinson at the 6:41 mark of the second quarter after he was assessed multiple technicals.
With only seconds left to play and Lyceum leading 95-93 Perez dribbled along the right baseline and attempted to score on a layup. But he was blocked by the double-teaming EAC defense which forced him into a jump ball. The possession arrow awarded the ball to the Generals.
With the Pirates protecting a slim two-point advantage, 95-93, the Generals had one final chance to tie the game or win it outright. But it was not to be. Not only could the Generals not convert a basket but Marcelino even stole the ball and sprinted to the other end to score on a layup and push the Pirates beyond recall, 97-93.
The Generals’ Francis Munsayac had the ball and was looking for a teammate to pass to. But hesitated a split second too late and lost control of the ball to the quick-stepping Marcelino.
Marcelino later said they just refused to lose.
“Ayaw ko matalo kasi nasaktan kami nung nawala si coach,” said Marcelino.
Marcelino went on to finish with 20 points and four steals.
With the victory Lyceum (7 wins, 0 loss) stayed alone at the top of the standings while the Generals (3-3) stayed at third place but now in a tie with the Letran Knights (3-3) behind the San Beda College Red Lions (5-1).
The loss also snapped the Generals’ string of back-to-back victories.
The other teams include the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers (2-3), the San Sebastian College Stags (2-3), the University of Perpetual Help Altas (2-3), the Arellano University Chiefs (2-4), the College of St. Benilde Blazers and the Mapua Cardinals (1-5).
The Generals badly missed big man Hamadou Laminou who has been ruled out for the season after he injured his right knee last Tuesday, August 8.
Laminou and Arellano’s Lervin Flores were fighting for a rebound with 1:37 left in the first quarter. The 6-foot-8 Cameroonian fell awkwardly. It didn’t seem too serious at the time but an MRI later revealed he tore an ACL in the right knee. Recovery for that type of injury usually takes months.
The hard-luck Laminou had earlier injured his left knee in the preseason. He was averaging 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks after five games before his second knee injury.
It was a bitter loss for the Generals, as well as for their deliriously cheering fans, as they pushed the Pirates to the limit before eventually losing their composure at end game to yield the match.
In juniors’ play, LPU routed EAC, 111-77.
The scores:
LPU 97 – Perez 20, Marcelino JC 20, Nzeusseu 17, Marcelino JV 9, Caduyac 8, Ayaay 6, Baltazar 5, Ibanez 5, Santos 3, Tansingco 2, Marata 2, Pretta 0
EAC 93 – Munsayac 26, Garcia 19, Bautista 11, Diego 11, Bugarin 10, Onwubere 6, Pascua 5, Neri 3, Mendoza I 2, Corilla 0, Mendoza J 0, Tampoc 0, Guzman 0
QUARTER SCORES: 27-24, 52-49, 77-71, 97-93
Games today
(Filoil Arena, San Juan)
8 a.m.- Mapua vs SBC (jrs)
10 a.m.- SSC-R vs CSB (jrs)
12 nn.- Mapua vs SBC (srs)
2 p.m.- SSC-R vs CSB (srs)
4 p.m.- Perpetual vs Letran (srs)
6 p.m.- Perpetual vs Letran (jrs)