Generals oust Maroons, stay in semis race

MANILA, Philippines - Emilio Aguinaldo College finally drew balanced scoring from its crew and eased out University of the Philippines, 25-17, 25-23, 25-16, yesterday while staying in the semifinal hunt in the Spikers’ Turf Season 1-Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

After uncorking 38 and 41 hits in two losing games, Howard Mojica slowed down with 18 points but the Generals still notched the crucial win that kept the embattled reigning NCAA champions in the Final Four race at 3-3 with three playdates left in the quarterfinal round of the tournament presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

“We can’t rely on Howard (Mojica) alone,  that’s why I kept encouraging everyone to be more aggressive,” said EAC coach Rodrigo Palmero, citing the combined 20-point output from Hariel Doguna, Kerth Melliza, Mark Arias and Israel Encina.

UP, which also drew 18 hits from Alfred Valbuena and seven points from Evan Raymundo, bowed out of the semis race with a 1-4 card.

La Salle, with Arjay Onia, Raymark Woo and Mike Frey combining for 40 hits, firmed up its own semis drive as it swept ousted Far Eastern U, 25-20, 27-25, 25-11, to seize solo third at 3-2. The Tams fell to 0-5.

Ateneo fought back from an opening set loss with a sweep of the next three to repulse National College of Business and Arts, 31-33, 25-18, 25-12, 25-21, to move within a win from sweeping the quarterfinals.

Marck Espejo rammed in 23 hits, including four aces, while Joshua Villanueva, Rex Intal and Ysrael Marasigan combined for 37 points as the Eagles foiled the Wildcats and primed up for their keenly-awaited duel with the National U Bulldogs next Monday.

NCBA, led by Reyson Fuentes’ 16 markers and a combined 22-hit output from John Domingo and Jason Canlas, dropped to fifth at 2-3 and must sweep its last two games against ousted St. Benilde tomorrow and UP on Sept. 2 to earn at least a playoff for the last semis seat.