EJ Castillo and Jude Bagay delivered standout performances on the international stage, powering Emilio Aguinaldo College to the U25 Cheng Hoo Cup 2025 title last week in Cirebon, Indonesia.
The Generals captured the title by going undefeated in five games while fellow Philippine representative Polytechnic University of the Philippines seized the silver with a 4-1 win-loss record.
Incoming rookie Castillo, a homegrown product of EAC high school, proved his scoring ability against foreign clubs, amassing 86 points — the most in the U25 division — while Bagay was named Most Valuable Player after collecting 72 points.
Other Generals also made their mark, with veteran guard Kyle Ochavo dishing out a tournament-high 28 assists and ranking fourth in steals with 14. Brianne Angeles (74 points) and Joshua Tolentino (50 points) also impressed, both finishing among the top 10 scorers.
EAC's feat came just days after making the quarterfinals of the 2025 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, where the Generals racked up six wins against three losses to join Letran, Benilde, and Arellano in the Top 8.
They, however, fell to the University of Santo Tomas to bow out of contention.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
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