NCAA: Nine-man EAC Generals squad trumps Saavedra, CSB Blazers

The Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals squeezed the most out of a tight nine-man rotation as they turned back the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 81-72, on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Arena, to set into motion the school’s bid for a breakthrough Final Four appearance in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

All but three of the Generals who saw action scored in double figures as they frustrated the Blazers in the second half to pull away with the victory.

John Tayongtong and Jack Arquero led the balanced attack with 14 points apiece. Noube Happi registered a double-double of 12 points and 15 boards. Jan Jamon was on target with 13 markers, while rookies Ariel Aguilar and Jerald Serrano shone in their debuts with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

“Happy ako dahil kahit sino ipasok ko, alam ko may i-po-produce,”  Generals coach Gerry Esplana said.

The Blazers, even with Pons Saavedra’s 20 points and eight boards, lost their season debut. - Karlo Sacamos, SPIN


The scores:

AC (81) - Arquero 14, Tayongtong 14, Aguilar 13, Jamon 13, Happi 12, Serrano 11, King 2, Onwubere 2, Saludo 0

CSB (72) -- Saavedra 20, Romero 14, Grey 10, Sinco 7, Taha 7, Ongteco 6, Bartolo 5, Nayve 3, Jonson 0, Argamino 0, Deles 0

Quarter scoring: 16-12, 33-35, 66-54, 81-72