AGUSAN del Sur –Arianos Construction- Emilio Aguinaldo College clinched third place in the 2024 Mayor Kirk Asis Open Invitational basketball tournament at the Lope Asis Memorial gymnasium in Bayugan City.

Led by Wilmar Oftana, EAC defeated CESAFI champion Bustamante Construction-University of Visayas, 80-69, in their one-game battle for third place.

Oftana, who was named “Player of the Game”, tallied 20 points, four rebounds and one assist for the Arianos Connstruction-backed Generals, who pocketed P150,000.

The Generals led as much as 17 points in the game but the Green Lancers closed the gap to three points, 67-70.

But that was the closest the Lancers could get as the Generals recovered their beatings and capitalized on the Lancers’ turnovers to seal the win.

King Gurtiza added 12 points, while Tolentino and Bagay contributed 10 points apiece.

Kent Salarda finished with 18 points for the Lancers, who settled for P100,000.

Raul Gentallan and Ivorian Coast import Lass Coulibally added 17 and 15 points, respectively, for UV.

In the elimination round of the five-team tournament, EAC finished with a 2-2 win-loss record.

The Generals also won over the UV Lancers, 89-85, and Vincare Pharma-Perpetual Altas, 88-86.

The three-day competition was organized by well-known coach Van Helen Parmis for the 13th straight year in this northern Agusan del Sur City noted for its lucrative cut flower industry.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya