Emilio Aguinaldo College and Arellano University both avoided early setbacks in the NCAA Season 101 seniors basketball tournament, pulling off much-needed bounce-back wins on Tuesday at the Filoil Centre.
The Generals had to dig deep before escaping the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 68-65, to level their record at 1-1 in Group B.
In Group A, Arellano made sure not to fall into a 0-2 hole after dismantling San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 82-66, for its first win of the season.
“I reminded the boys that if we lost this game, it’ll be hard for us to reach our short-term goal, which is to be in the Top 2 of our bracket,” said EAC coach Jerson Cabiltes.
The Generals seemed to be in control after building a 63-59 advantage with 3:54 left, but the Heavy Bombers answered with a 6-2 run to knot things up at 65-all.
That set the stage for Nico Quinal, who drilled the game-winning triple at the 1:25 mark to finish with 10 points.
Wilmar Oftana and Oman Omandac also chipped in with 13 and 10 points, respectively, for EAC.
(C) NCAA/GMA
Renzo Abiera, meanwhile, went a perfect 8-of-8 from the field for 19 points to set the tone for the Chiefs.
Maverick Vinoya and Anjord Cabotaje added 15 apiece.
Coach Chico Manabat commended his Chiefs not just for the result, but for the collective effort that produced it.
“Pinakamaganda dito e nagttrabaho lahat ‘yong mga bata at ‘yong (mga) coaches,” he said. “Sometimes, hindi ‘yong madaming panalo, ‘yong tamang panahon para manalo talaga ‘yong tinatrabaho nila.”
After bowing to defending champion Mapua in their opener, Arellano responded behind the near-flawless outing of Renzo Abiera, who tallied 19 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting from the field.
The Generals’ effort overshadowed the explosive 27-point performance of JRU’s Shawn Argente, whose big night went for naught as the Bombers also fell to 1-1.
Ian Cuajao and Christian Ricio tried to keep the Golden Stags afloat with 12 points apiece, but San Sebastian ultimately slipped to 0-2 in the standings.
The Scores:
First Game:
Arellano 82 – Abiera 19, Vinoya 15, Cabotaje 15, Valencia 8, Geronimo 8, Libang 5, Borromeo 4, Hernal 3, Langit 3, Camay 1, Buenaventura 1, Anama 0, Miller 0, Demetria 0, Espiritu 0
San Sebastian 66 – Cuajao 12, Ricio 12, Dela Rama 10, Felebrico 8, Lumanag 8, Gabat 7, Are 5, Nepacena 2, Dimaunahan 2, Castor 0, Cabilla 0, Gomez de Liaño 0, Velasco 0
Quarterscores: 23-22, 48-36, 65-57, 82-66
Second Game:
Emilio Aguinaldo 68 – Oftana 13, Omandac 10, Quinal 10, Castillo 9, Doria 8, Shanoda 6, Bagay 4, Ochavo 3, Lucero 3, Villarente 2, Loristo 0, Tolentino 0, Angeles 0, Bacud 0, Jacob 0
Jose Rizal 65 – Argente 27, Salvador 11, Lozano 10, Panapanaan 4, Peñaverde 3, Garupil 3, Herrera 2, Laurenaria 2, Sarmiento 2, Benitez 1, Duque 0
Quarterscores: 20-14, 33-34, 48-50, 68-65
