Key losses: Marwin Taywan, CJ Cadua
Key holdovers: Allen Liwag, Ralph Robin, Nat Cosejo, King Gurtiza
Season 97 record: 3-6, 7th place
Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) is opening its NCAA Season 98 campaign with added motivation as the school is set to host the latest edition.
And as EAC is on top of things, the Generals want nothing less than a Final Four appearance and a rare championship with youngsters Allen Liwag, Ralph Robin, King Gurtiza, and Andrey and Adam Doria leading the way.
EAC, mentored by head coach Oliver Bunyi, had shown a lot of positives from the previous season, collecting three wins against Lyceum, JRU, and San Sebastian while absorbing six losses.
And although it lost sharpshooters Marwin Taywan and CJ Cadua to graduation, EAC could remain a force in the upcoming Season 98 with a mostly-intact roster.
Liwag was a bright spot last season, posting averages of 9.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.67 blocks per game in a breakout performance that earned him a place in the Gilas Pilipinas pool for a brief stint.
Robin, the Generals’ leading scorer with 14.1 points per game, will also return to spearhead the offense. The EAC gunner led the NCAA in three-pointers made through the elimination round last season while ranking second in three-point percentage at 40.7-percent.
Joining Liwag and Robin are Gurtiza and the Doria brothers as well as Nat Cosejo, who was a member of the Season 97 Best Defensive Team. Captain JC Luciano will provide leadership for the young breed of Generals while JP Maguliano is tipped to bring intensity on the paint.
Liwag said they are all ready to take on the leadership role as they try to give EAC a fruitful campaign in its hosting year.
"Sabi naman ni coach, lahat kami pwedeng maging leader eh," Liwag shared to GMA News Online.
"Kaya kami, kung sino 'yung may opinyon, kung sino 'yung nagsasalita, pinapakinggan naming lahat. Lahat talaga kami leader, kumbaga one page kami."
EAC joined a number of preseason tournaments including the FIlOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, Milcu Tournament, UCBL, and a short tournament organized by the Commission on Higher Education.
And as for the coming NCAA season, the Generals' mission isn't only to compete, but also to defy the league's giants and hopefully contend for the title.
"Mission namin is makapasok sa Final Four and syempre, championship," Liwag added. "Oo naman, kaya naman. Tiwala ako sa mga teammates ko eh."
—JMB, GMA News
