AFTER 10 tries, Emilio Aguinaldo College finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel at the expense of pacesetting College of St. Benilde yesterday.
The Generals edged the Blazers 80-75 for their first win in the 98th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Nat Cosejo sizzled with a game-high 24 points, to go with nine rebounds for EAC, while Ralph Bajon had 16 markers and three boards.
Adrian Balowa and Allen Liwag also combined for 20 points for the Generals, who rebounded from a 68-72 loss to reigning two-time champion Letran five days ago and improved to 1-9.
CSB, coming off a 78-69 triumph over San Beda University eight days ago, dropped to 7-2.
“This is something special. Ang sabi ko sa mga bata, if you want this upset win, we need to have this effort and energy throughout the game,” EAC coach Oliver Bunyi said.
“So, they delivered. They are more focused today and they were really decisive na magkakaroon ng panalo,” he added.
In the other game, Mapua University held off Lyceum 62-59 to begin its second-round campaign on a high.
Jeric Pido fired 11 points and dished out two feeds for the Cardinals, while Rence Nocum added 10 markers, three rebounds, and six dimes.
Warren Bonifacio tallied 10 points and 14 rebounds, while Joaqui Garcia knocked down two treys and finished with 10 markers for Mapua, which scored a big follow up to its 67-55 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College nine days ago and climbed to 2-8.
The Pirates failed to do an encore to their 82-80 escape over Arellano University last Tuesday and slipped to 7-3.
The Cards led 30-29 at the break but Lyceum charged back and took a 48-42 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
Mclaude Guadaña was the lone bright spot for the Pirates with 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
With the victory, Mapua avenged a 67-76 loss to Lyceum when they first met last Sept. 14.
The Generals fell 39-40 at the halfway mark and 57-59 heading into the final canto.
