FilOil: EAC Generals halt UP’s two-game winning streak

MANILA, Philippines – This time around the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals didn’t wait for the fourth quarter to rally.

The Generals have the talent to compete in the NCAA this year but putting it together had been another matter. In the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup at the San Juan Arena, opposing teams have spotted EAC a huge lead heading into the fourth period. It is with time running out that the Generals make their move. And more often than not, they run out of time.

Against the hot UP Fighting Maroons on Saturday, May 21, the Generals overcame an early 12-10 deficit to take the lead and hold off one rally after another for a 68-59 win.

EAC duo of center Hamadou Laminou and forward Sidney Onwubere were a handful for UP as they dominated the shaded lane with only UP’s Andrew Harris battling them for control.

Laminou, the Yaounde, Cameroon native, in his best performance of the tournament, scored a game high 23 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and turned away 4 UP shots to lead the Generals to a badly needed victory. Fourth year forward, Onwubere, repeatedly attacked UP’s interior defense for 16 points and 17 boards while also rejecting two shots.

“Those two,” said UP head coach Bo Perasol, “were a handful.”

When the Fighting Maroons rallied in the second half, Irvin Mendoza and Francis Munsayac put out the fire with a combined 3 huge triples.

“We need this for our confidence,” said EAC assistant coach Bong Melocoton who subbed in for head coach Aris Sison who had other urgent matters to attend to. “We always start poor and that hurts us in the end game. This is a good win because UP has a very good team; they are very competitive with a lot of scorers.”

UP was led by point guard Diego Dario who finished with 12 points while forward Dave Moralde added 11.

EAC registered its first win for a 3-1 record while UP fell to 2-2. – Rappler.com