28 September 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
Manila, Philippines – Though already eliminated in the Final Four bid, the Emilio Aguinaldo College won’t stop themselves from getting a sweet victory in expense of the College of St. Benilde, 69-67 on Friday in the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flyimg V Center in San Juan.
The Generals stopped a seven-game losing skid to improve their record to a 3-11 slate.
Even though they are no longer running for a Final Four spot, EAC made it complicated otherwise for the Blazers, who dropped to an 8-6 slate – now fifth place behind University of Perpetual Help (9-5).
EAC relied on their defense and shooting skills in the charity line to seal the win.
JP Magullano hit the crucial baskets that lifted the Generals out of their misery. He knocked down a basket before big man Clement Leutcheu that saw the game tied at 65-all.
Leutcheu and Prince Carlos could have paved the way for the Blazers to victory if they managed to get a single point from their freebies, but they missed all four of them.
Instead, Magullano and Juju Bautista shot theirs to improve to 69-65.
With only 40 ticks left, Justin Gutang shot all his freebies, only to realize it was their last points as time ran out.
Magullano had 14 points and nine rebounds, while Hamadou Laminou chipped in 13 markers. Jerome Garcia added a double-double of 10 markers and 10 rebounds.
On the other hand, Yankie Haruna led CSB with 18 points, seven boards and three assists.
BOX SCORES
EAC 69 – Magullano 14, Laminou 13, Garcia 10, Bautista 10, Cadua 8, Mendoza 8, Tampoc 6, Gonzales 0, Bugarin 0, Corilla 0, Neri 0
CSB 67 – Haruna 18, Gutang 16, Carlos 11, Dixon 8, Leutcheu 4, Pasturan 4, Belgica 4, Nayve 2, Naboa 0, Young 0
QUARTER SCORES: 22-15, 39-37, 52-57, 69-67
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