Generals turn back Cardinals for best finish

MANILA, Philippines -- Remy Morada caught fire and went on a three-point shooting mode in the fourth quarter as Emilio Aguinaldo rallied to turn back Mapua, 82-76, at The Arena in San Juan City Saturday ending their 89th NCAA basketball season campaign with its best finish since entering the league two years back.

Morada, a 19-year-old, third year veteran from Davao City, erupted for a team-high 23 points including four booming triples in the fourth period when the Generals erased a six-point deficit and translated it to their 10th victory against eight defeats, their best effort after a seventh place finish last season.

And EAC did it in the absence of its coach Gerry Esplana, who was in China for a previous commitment and should be back Sunday.

“It's a proud accomplishment for the school and the players,” said Esplana's assistant Andy de Guzman, who said Esplana would have flewn earlier had the team remained in Final Four contention, in Filipino.

"We hope to get confidence from this experience and carry it over in our next tournaments as well as next season," added de Guzman, who is also a former PBA player like Esplana.

The Cardinals led in double digits majority of the way as they leaned on their big men Jeson Cantos, Mark Brana and Kenneth Ighalo, who combined for 50 points, in dictating the tempo of the game.

But Cameroonian Noube Happi sparked a third quarter turnaround when EAC sliced its deficit to just six, 55-61, at the end of the third canto. Morada then teamed up with Jan Jamon, who had five points of his 13 points in the last quarter, sparked the decisive run.

The win also assured EAC a spot in the Champion's League set late next month since only the top six qualify there.

The Atoy Co-mentored Cardinals finished the season at the bottom with a 2-16 (win-loss) record.

The scores:

First Game

EAC (82) -- Morada 23, Happi 17, Jamon 13, Arquero 11, King 5, Munsayac 5, Tayongtong 4, Paguia 2, Hiole Manga 2, Castro 0, Mejos 0, Onwubere 0.

MIT (76) -Cantos 24, Brana 13, Magsigay 15, Ighalo 11, Isit 9, Gonzalez 2, Estrella 2, Gabo 0, Guzman 0, Magtoto 0.

Quarters: 16-19, 28-39, 55-61, 82-76.