They may have been eliminated from Final Four contention, but Emilio Aguinaldo College had a happy ending in NCAA Season 98.
The Generals eked out a win against Arellano University, 63-62, in overtime which head coach Oliver Bunyi considered as a gift for the EAC community.
"It’s a sweet win," Bunyi said.
"At least 'yung last game namin, binigyan namin ng magandang game, hindi lang yung EAC community, [pati] yung mga nanonood, sumusubaybay sa NCAA. I think, kahit papaano, na-entertain sila ng laro ng EAC."
Bunyi himself is proud of his players for the composure they showed during the extra period — a preview of things that could come or could have been for EAC.
"Kaya nga sabi ko kung nakuha lang namin ganitong character from the start, baka iba ang nangyari," Bunyi said.
"But then again there’s still the future for them to play basketball and sana itong last game na ito, madala nila: how to handle the pressure, how to keep composure, madala nila for the next season."
Bunyi said while they will have no graduating players, they will have to compete for a spot should more players come in.
The EAC head coach also said Ralph Robin and King Gurtiza are serving out their suspensions this season only and could be back in the future.
"We'll see kung anong mangyayari. Hindi naman namin sila kick out forever or what. Alam mo ang mga players nagkakamali rin talaga 'yan eh. Puwede naman magbago," he added.
The Generals ended their campaign with three wins and 15 losses.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
