MANILA, Philippines -- It can't rain all the time.
Just months after getting flak for its basketball team's involvement in an ugly brawl with Mapua, Emilio Aguinaldo College redeemed itself by copping its first ever seniors title by topping the 90th NCAA men's volleyball tournament a few days back.
Denied in the last three seasons when they made the finals only to get scurrying back by eventual champion Perpetual Help, the Generals finally cashed in on their opportunity and downed the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 25-21, 23-25, 25-19, 25-20, to complete a 2-1 series win.
It was EAC's first title in seniors volleyball and first in all sports since it joined the league six seasons ago.
Most importantly, the victory somehow redeemed EAC, whose only other titles were a three-peat feat in junior volleyball, for the flak it received after getting involved in the fracas that resulted to suspension of most of players, forfeiture of a game and a tarnished reputation.
"We made mistakes but life is a continuous learning process so we just have to learn from it," said EAC's Management Committee representative Marlon Carlos, who said the main protagonist of the fracas--EAC's John Tayongtong and Mapua's CJ Isit--have already reconciled.
"Our win in volleyball is a celebration of the school's desire to excel by working and preparing hard. After a long wait, the team's patience and hardwork finally paid off," he added.
And EAC had a lot to thank Howard Mojica for.
The power-hitting Mojica almost single-handedly carried the Generlas through as he averaged 29 hits in the series that went the distance.
The reigning season and finals MVP unleashed a series-high 33 hits in a thrilling 25-22, 21-25, 21-25, 25-15, 15-13 Game Two win that levelled the count at one apiece before unloading 28, all on kills, the title-clinching win in the decider.
His lowest was a 26 in a stinging 25-27, 20-25, 25-23, 25-26 defeat to St. Benilde in Game One.
"He's the heart and sould of this team, he just carried us through the whole season," said EAC coach Rod Palmero referring to Mojica.