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GESTER EBUAN scored 22 points, including four in the
extra period, as Emilio Aguinaldo College beat Asian College of
Science and Technology, 76-72, Sunday to boost its semifinals bid in
the 15th Smart-National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA)
men’s basketball tournament at the EAC Sports Complex.
It was the seventh win in 10
games for the Generals, who gained a share of third spot with
Philippine Merchant Marine School in this tournament also supported
by Petron, Mikasa and Molten Balls.
EAC will earn the No. 2 spot in
the Final Four with a victory over St. Francis of Assisi College at
12:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Olivarez College Gym.
The Doves, on the other hand,
will advance to the finals if they complete an 11-game sweep of the
eliminations.
“We can still have a
twice-to-beat advantage. But we have to beat St. Francis and keep
them from sweeping the eliminations,” said Generals coach Nomar
Isla.
The Lightnings, who struggled in
the last two minutes after key players led by Nikko Pupos fouled
out, finished the elimination round with a 6-5 record. They
threatened for the last time at 68-70 after Harvey Igtos split his
charities.
But the Generals stayed ahead
with 39 ticks to go after Ebuen converted a free throw and Argel
Mendoza scored on Ebuen’s assist, 73-68.
Valderama made two more charities
with 25 seconds to go to preserve the Generals’ five-point lead,
75-70, before he fouled out in the ensuing play.
The Generals forced the extension
period at 60-all when Cameroon-born Romeo Fotue scored on a
barreling shot with eight ticks remaining.
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