Generals lean on Tayongtong to slay Stags; Bombers win

Games Wednesday

12 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Perpetual (jrs/srs)

4 p.m. – San Beda vs Letran (srs/jrs)

MANILA, Philippines – John Tayongtong came through in  the fourth quarter as Emilio Aguinaldo downed San Sebastian, 71-56, to nail its third victory in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City Monday.

Tayongtong paced his team with 17 points, including eight in the final period when the Generals broke loose for the win that closed their first round campaign with a 3-6 (win-loss) record.

Tayongtong's effort made up for his last one when he missed what would have been a game-winning triple in a 79-81 defeat to Jose Rizal last Friday.

"For him to become a leader, he needs to have consistency. And so far, he's been doing that the past few games," said EAC coach Gerry Esplana of Tayongtong, who played a year for Arellano U before transferring to EAC.

Tayongtong led the way most game but it was in the fourth period that he took charge to quash San Sebastian's one final stand.

Jan Jamon and Jack Arquero chipped in 16 and 12 points, respectively, while Cameroonian Noube Happi contributed 13 points and eight rebounds despite playing with a lingering back injury.

"He's obviously bothered by the pain from his back," said Esplana of the 6-7 Happi. "But I'm happy that he's doing all he can to help the team despite the injury."

Jaymar Perez paced the Stags with 18 points but none of his teammates finished in the double-digit mark that hastened their downfall.

After starting the season strong with a 3-1 slate, San Sebastian has dropped five straight games to fall to 3-6.

In the second game, Philip Paniamogan came alive in the second half as Jose Rizal outgunned Mapua, 87-78, to move up to solo third.

After a scoreless first half, Paniamogan went on a shooting barrage as he scored all his game-high 26 points in the second including 14 in the fourth quarter to help seal the Bombers solo No. 3 with a 6-3 (win-loss) slate.

"I just told him to be aggressive in the second half," said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses of Paniamogan.

Carlos Isit came a rebound away from a triple-double with 21 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds but he couldn't find a way to prevent the Cardinals from absorbing an eighth defeat against a win.

The scores:

First Game

EAC 71 – Tayongtong 17, Jamon 16, Happi 13, Arquero 12, Serrano 4, Onwubere 4, Santos 2, Saludo 2, Aguilar 1, King 0, Mejos 0, General 0, Pascual 0

San Sebastian 56 – Perez 18, dela Cruz 9, Yong 9, Guinto 8, Pretta 5, Ortuoste 3, Balucanag 2, Calisaan 2, Camasura 0, Fabian 0, Costelo 0, Aquino 0, Santos 0, Mercado 0

Quarterscores: 14-15; 33-28; 49-42; 71-56

Second Game

Jose Rizal 87 – Paniamogan 26, Benavidez 17, Teodoro 12, Asuncion 11, AbdulWahab 7, Mabulac 5, Gropse 4, Sanchez 3, Balagtas 2, Salaveria 0

Mapua 78 – Isit 21, Eriobu 16, Biteng 12, Saitanan 8, Cantos 8, Serrano 5, Layug 4, Gabo 2, Estrella 2, Canaynay 0, Tubiano 0

Quarterscores: 16-19; 38-41; 68-63; 87-78