4 days ago
Surging EAC grabs share of lead with escape vs. Arellano; Mapua, Perpetual gut out wins
Emilio Aguinaldo College narrowly escaped a determined Arellano University with a 66-64 win on Wednesday to extend its winning streak and grab a share of top spot in the 18th Filoil Preseason Cup.
The Generals wasted a 12-point lead, but restored order in the endgame thanks to clutch baskets from holdovers Brianne Angeles and Nicole Quinal to surge to their fourth straight wins for a 6-1 card. More importantly, EAC forced a tie at the top with Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
Down one in the final minute, Angeles completed a layup off a dish from rookie EJ Castillo, making up for a missed three-pointer in the previous play to give EAC a slim 65-64 lead.
Quinal then split his free throws after forcing a foul from King Vinoya to seal it for the Generals.
Quinal top-scored EAC with 15 points while Jude Bagay and Ruzzelle Dominguez posted 11 and 10 markers each as the Generals continued to make its case as a title contender ahead of NCAA Season 101.
In other games, Mapua University and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA took care of their jobs against Jose Rizal University and San Sebastian College-Recoletos, respectively.
The defending champions Cardinals relied on an all-around outing from graduating Clint Escamis to pull off a 76-68 win against the rebuilding Heavy Bombers.
Escamis posted 13 points, seven assists, and three rebounds to help Mapua improve to 4-2 while Cyril Gonzales churned out a team-high 21 markers together with four rebounds, two dimes, and two steals.
Perpetual, on the other hand, halted a three-game slide by eking out a 75-61 win against the Stags behind near double-double showing from debuting transferee Patrick Sleat.
The former FEU star poured in 13 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and two steals while sophomore Mark Gojo Cruz supplied the help with 12 markers, six boards, and two dimes as they hiked their card to 2-4.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
