Jude Bagay delivered when it mattered most, lifting Emilio Aguinaldo College to a crucial 92-89 overtime victory over University of Perpetual Help System DALTA and a share of second place in Group B of the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Friday night at the San Andres Sports Complex.
Bagay topscored with 26 points, including the crucial free throws that sealed the Generals’ victory and improved their record to 5-6, tying them with Arellano University for the second spot in the group standings.
Despite securing the victory, EAC head coach Jerson Cabiltes admitted that his team once again struggled to close out a game, allowing Perpetual to force overtime.
“‘Yon lagi problema namin, how to finish games, at nag-show up na naman,” Cabiltes said. “I was so frustrated, buti nag-step up sila sa overtime.”
The Generals held an 83-79 advantage in the final two minutes of regulation, but Mark Gojo Cruz knocked down two free throws before Jim Corpuz converted a last-second basket to force overtime at 83-all.
EAC regained control in the extra period, opening with a 7-3 run highlighted by five points from EJ Castillo to establish a 90-86 cushion with 2:08 remaining.
Castillo finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, providing valuable support to Bagay in the victory.
Gojo Cruz briefly kept the Altas within striking distance with a three-point play, but Bagay proved unflappable at the charity stripe, sinking his free throws to give EAC a 92-89 lead with 11.4 seconds left.
Perpetual had one final opportunity to force another extension, but Juan Tulabut’s desperation three-pointer missed at the buzzer as the Altas fell to 3-8.
Kyle Ochavo chipped in 14 points for the Generals, while Wilmar Oftana and Joseph Nunag added 13 apiece.
Gelo Gelsano and Gojo Cruz paced Perpetual with 21 points each, while Corpuz finished with 20 in the loss.
EAC will look to strengthen its hold on a quarterfinal position when it takes on Group B leader Colegio de San Juan de Letran on November 5 before facing Arellano on November 9 in a crucial battle for positioning.
Perpetual, meanwhile, will try to get back on track against a struggling San Sebastian College-Recoletos side on November 6.
The Scores:
Emilio Aguinaldo 92 – Bagay 26, Castillo 15, Ochavo 14, Nunag 13, Oftana 13, H. Raymundo 6, M. Raymundo 5, Shanoda 0, Sealey 0, Mundas 0, Baniqued 0, Bonus 0, Coronel 0
Perpetual Help 89 – Gelsano 21, Gojo Cruz 21, Corpuz 20, Tulabut 9, Borja 8, Casinillo 5, Roluna 3, Duremdes 2, Maglupay 0, Orgo 0, Montemayor 0, Cauguiran 0, Cristino 0
Quarterscores: 27-27, 47-49, 74-67, 83-83, 92-89
