MANILA, Philippines - Emilio Aguinaldo College and Mapua close out their first round eliminations assignment in the lone match today in the 89th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Generals are hoping to ride on their fight-marred 79-63 victory over the Arellano U Chiefs last Aug. 17 as they gun for their fourth win against five setbacks for a share of fifth with the San Sebastian Stags.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, try to salvage whatever is left in its forgettable first round stint marred by seven losses against a lone victory.
The Cardinals’ first and only win came last July 1, a 104-99 triumph over San Sebastian.
Gametime is at 6 p.m.
“We have to show defensive intensity for us to keep the momentum,†said EAC coach Gerry Esplana in Filipino.
The Generals did just that when it brought down the Chiefs the last time out. They neutralized Fil-Canadian James Forrester, one of the Chiefs top scorers who was so frustrated that he fought it out with EAC rookie Sydney Onwubere.
Onwubere was subsequently suspended for one game he will serve in today’s duel while Forrester was slapped a two-game ban.
Cameroonian Noube Happi and Jan Jamon are again expected to lead EAC’s charge with the former averaging 14 points and 13 rebounds and the latter norming 11 points.