Generals, Chiefs eye share of lead

MANILA, Philippines - Emilio Aguinaldo and Arellano U seek to sustain their impressive start as they collide today for the a share of the lead with four-peat champion San Beda and Perpetual Help in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan

The Generals are riding the crest of their emphatic 81-72 victory over the St. Benilde Blazers last Wednesday while the Chiefs are coming off a come-from-behind 93-80 triumph over the Lyceum Pirates last week.

At stake in the 2 p.m. match will be a slice of leadership with San Beda and Perpetual, both unbeaten in two starts.

EAC coach Gerry Esplana said he will need another strong effort from his Cameroonian import Noube Happi and his pair of rookies Ariel Aguilar and Jeraldo Serrano.

The 6-7 Happi had a monster effort in his first game of the season with 12 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks while both Aguilar and Serrano similarly made an auspicious debut by combining for 25 points.

Aguilar, a product of EAC’s high school program, was an excellent reliever to starter John Tayongtong at the point while playing the two on some occasions. The reed-thin Serrano provided the team with outside shooting as a floor-spacing big man and also hit three triples to wind up with 12 points.

“If we could get the same efforts we got from Noube and my rookies, we’ll be happy,” said Esplana.

For Arellano U mentor Jerry Codiñera, defense will be the key.

“We have to make sure to check Happi and also stop their shooters,” said Codiñera, who has succeeded Koy Banal early in the year.

John Pinto is expected to draw the attention from the Generals after he erupted for 20 points, 16 of them coming in the second half when the Chiefs turned a first half deficit to a double-digit win.

Pinto knows he must lead by example.

“Coach (Codiñera) always tells me to be the leader and set a good example for my teammates and I don’t want to disappoint the team,” said Pinto in Filipino.