EMILIO Aguinaldo College survived a late scare from Lyceum and eked out a 71-63 victory on Thursday to sustain its playoff push in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Ahead throughout, EAC saw the pesky Pirates threaten in the late stages with their full-court press, but the Generals held on by countering with a press break that translated to fast-break points as they evened their win-loss record at 7-7.
The Generals, still behind fourth-running San Sebastian, are now one victory away from matching their win total last season when they finished in fifth place with an 8-10 win-loss card.
EAC also dealt Lyceum its 10th loss in 14 games, virtually eliminating the Pirates from Final Four contention.
Jorem Morada waxed hot early, firing 14 of his 21 points in the first quarter, but it was Jolas Paguia who delivered the key baskets down the stretch for the Generals, with the versatile slotman scoring half of his 18 points in the final frame.
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