John Tayongtong led the way for EAC as the Generals took down San Sebastian. KC Cruz
Emilio Aguinaldo leaned on a solid effort by John Tayongtong as it trampled San Sebastian, 71-56, to close the first round of elimination on a bright note in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City on Monday.
Tayongtong, 22, poured in a team high 17 points including eight in the fourth quarter when the Generals tore the game apart to nail to go into the second round with a 3-6 (win-loss) record and something to feell good about themselves.
"It's nice to go into the second round with a win, it gives us confidence somehow," said EAC coach Gerry Esplana.
Jan Jamon and Jack Arguero added 16 and 12 points, respectively, while Cameroonian Noube Happi contributed 13 points and eight rebounds despite enduring pain from a lingering back injury.
"Happi is in pain," said Esplana.
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.
Philip Paniamogan led the charge as JRU fashioned out a victory over Mapua. KC Cruz
In the second game, JRU drew strength from Philip Paniamogan's second half explosion as it outlasted Mapua, 87-78, to jump to solo third spot.
Paniamogan, 23, came out from a scoreless first half with all guns firing in the second by pouring in all his game-high 26 points including 14 in the fourth quarter when the Bombers took the fight out the Cardinals.
The win thus sent JRU from a share of No. 3 with idle Perpetual Help (5-3) to solo hold of it with a 6-3 (win-loss) record.
Only four-peat titlist San Beda (7-1) and Arellano University (7-2) were better.
"I was hurrying my shots in the first half so I relaxed a little in the second half and picked my shots well," said Paniamogan, a native of Cagayan de Oro, in Filipino. — JST, GMA News
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
Quarters: 14-15; 33-28; 49-42; 71-56
Second Game
JRU 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
Quarters: 16-19; 38-41; 68-63; 87-78
