Generals shoot down Pirates to boost semis bid

MANILA, Philippines – Emilio Aguinaldo went to Jose Morada early and then Jolas Paguia in the stretch as it turned back Lyceum, 71-63, to bolster its Final Four bid in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City Thursday.

Morada unleashed a 19-point explosion he laced with a game-high four booming triples when the Generals built a double-digit lead in the first half before the burly Paguia went on a free throw shooting spree in the second half to parry a late fight back by the Pirates.

The win gave EAC its seventh victory in as many defeats, just one and a half games behind No. 4 San Sebastian (8-5).

"The most important thing is that we all know we still have a chance to get that last berth in the Final Four," said EAC coach Gerry Esplana.

The Generals went on another three-shooting spree as they hit seven of the 20 shots they attempted, or just a week after torching the Letran Knights with 11 triples including 10 in the second half in a shock 87-64 rout.

Esplana said the key is slowing things down.

"We want to run but I keep telling the players if there's no chance, don't rush it and we're committing less mistakes when we do that," said Esplana.

The Pirates fell to their 10th defeat against four wins and closer to elimination.

While Morada and Paguia alternated, Cameroonian Noube Happi did the rest with 13 points and 10 rebounds while Jan Jamon chipped in 14 points including a pair of booming three-pointers.

The scores:

EAC 71- Morada 21, Paguia 18, Jamon 14, Happi 13, King 3, Manga 1, Tayongtong 1, Munsayac 0, Onwubere 0, Arquero 0

Lyceum 63- Mbomiko 15, Zamora 13, Ko 12, Azores 8, Francisco 7, Lacastesantos 4, Garcia 2, Mendoza 2, Baltazar 0, Taladua 0, Ko 0, Lesmoras 0

Quarterscores: 21-17; 40-33; 52-39; 71-63