12 July 2019
By Maxine Louise Lagman
MANILA, Philippines – Jethro Mendoza came at just the right moment and dropped the biggest shocker of the game.
Mendoza hit the go-ahead layup on the last 1.5 seconds of the game to lift the Emilio Aguinaldo College over Lyceum, 84-82, Friday in the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
This win sends the team into the winning column. It also serves as their first win against the Pirates since 2016 and their biggest win since defeating champion Letran back in 2015.
“Of course, morale-booster ‘to. Like what I told them before, kung maglalaro nang tama, may chance kaming manalo against big teams,” EAC coach Oliver Bunyi said.
The Generals erased an 18-point deficit in the game and eventually tied the game at 70-all. Both teams were on a roll and put the game on an 82-all dreadlock. With only seconds left on the clock, the Generals passed the ball and saw an opening to Mendoza, whose layup in the final second earned them a two-point advantage.
Lyceum could still have tied the game and a possible overtime match, but EAC blocked Reymar Caduyac and Jayvee Marcelino’s alley-oops, securing the Generals the win.
“Naglaro sila nang tama and biniyayaan kami, we’re blessed with a win versus LPU,” coach Bunyi added.
Mendoza had 21 points, six of which were triples, while Marwin Taywan also wound up with 21 markers, along with five assists, three rebounds, and two steals. JP Maguliano added a double-double record of 10 points and 15 rebounds in the win.
Meanwhile, Jaycee Marcelino carried Lyceum with 23 markers, six rebounds, and four assists, while Caduyac had 17 points, five assists, and four rebounds.
The Scores:
EAC 84 — Taywan 21, Mendoza 21, Carlos 11, Maguliano 10, Tampoc 8, Martin 5, Gonzales 4, Gurtiza 2, Luciano 2, Estacio 0, Cadua 0.
LYCEUM 82 — Jc. Marcelino 23, Caduyac 17, David 9, Tansingco 7, Ibanez 6, Jv. Marcelino 5, Valdez 5, Remulla 2, Navarro 2, Yong 2, Guinto 2, Santos 2, Laurente 0, Pretta 0.
QUARTER SCORES: 14-22, 40-39, 66-55, 84-82.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @meanxi
