GARCIA POWERS EAC TO WIN OVER MAPUA, KEEPS FINAL FOUR HOPES ALIVE
By Maxine Louise Lagman
14 September 2017
The former Adamson Soaring Falcons, Jerome Garcia, led the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals to an 85-72 win on Thursday against Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Garcia shot 23 of his career-high 27 points during the first half, to keep the EAC Generals atop a comfortable lead against the Cardinals.
EAC led by as much as 18 points, 83-65, with 2:39 ticks left to play in the match after a booming triple by Francis Munsayac.
The Generals improved to a 4-6 win-loss record in the team standings, while the Cardinals are at the bottom of the standings with a 1-11 record.
Remaining at the fourth spot in the league standings, just behind San Sebastian, the EAC Generals will have to double its efforts to remain in the Final Four bid after losing two players due to injuries.
Juju Bautista has been declared unavailable to play for the remaining games in the season due to a left shoulder injury, while Hamadou Lamidou had an ACL tear, which cut his playing time in the season.
“Sana kaya pa namin kahit na kulang kami ng player,” said EAC Coach Ariel Sison. “Play our usual game nalang talaga and if kaya ipanalo, ipanalo na.”
Team Captain Sidney Onwubere added a double-double record of 16 points and 15 rebounds.
On the other hand, Laurenz Victoria paced the Cardinals with 15 markers, eight boards and five assists, while JB Flores added 14 points and seven rebounds in the defeat.
The Scores:
EAC 85 – Garcia 27, Onwubere 16, Mendoza I. 9, Diego 8, Munsayac 7, Mendoza J. 6, Pascua 5, Tampoc 5, Guzman 2, Bugarin 0, Corilla 0, Neri 0.
