By: Brenn Allen Flores
After 28 attempts, Emilio Aguinaldo College has finally achieved what once seemed impossible: defeating San Beda University, the NCAA’s last remaining founding member.
In a stunning turn of events, the revamped Generals ended their long losing streak against the defending champion Red Lions with a dominant 68-55 victory in the NCAA Season 100 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Tuesday at the Filoil Eccoil Centre.
This victory marked the first time EAC had ever beaten San Beda – snapping a 0-27 record against the perennial powerhouse since joining the Grand Old League in 2009.
“We are very happy that we were able to bounce back after a dismal performance against CSB. Eto first win namin ngayon against San Beda,” said second-year Generals head coach Jerson Cabiltes.
“It’s a very good win because we needed this. Kung hindi, mababaon kami sa standings. So, fortunate at thank you na nanalo kami.”
The Generals were led by Harvey Pagsanjan with 14 points on 45.5-percent shooting with seven rebounds and JC Luciano – who went perfect from the arc – with 13 points and eight rebounds.
It was a dominant win for EAC after they limited San Beda to making only 16 of their 60 shots (26.7-percent) while making 35.1-percent of their shot from behind the arc.
They also converted 15 points off of San Beda’s 17 turnovers, nine of which were steals.
“Outside shooting, minsan may swerte. We are just fortunate this day that we are hitting our long-range shots that’s why we were able to get the big lead na na-sustain that entire game,” added Cabiltes, who is also the head coach of Pangasinan in the MPBL.
“Yung halftime pa lang, I told the boys that San Beda will come out aggressive. Ang binilin ko sa kanila is to double the effort and finish the game,” the decorated tactician added.
The Generals came out of the gates scorching from deep as they sank five three-pointers in the first frame to get an early lead, 21-14, before breaking out with a double-digit lead before halftime, 36-23.
EAC outscored San Beda 27-12 in the third quarter, with the Generals having led as much as 29 points.
With this breakthrough win, the Generals evened their record at 2-2, climbing to sixth place in the standings.
On the other hand, San Beda – also at 2-2 – dropped to seventh.
EAC will now aim to build on this historic triumph when it takes on University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Saturday.
Yukien Andrada was the lone double-digit scorer for San Beda with 12 points and six rebounds.
Meanwhile, Bryan Sajonia finished with only three points on a dismal 12.5-percent shooting.
On the other hand, San Beda will look to bounce back quickly as it takes on Jose Rizal University in the hopes of regaining momentum also on Saturday.
The Scores:
EAC 68 – Pagsanjan 14, Luciano 13, Gurtiza 9, Oftana 9, Doromal 6, Quinal 5, Ochavo 4, Bagay 4, Lucero 2, Loristo 2, Umpad 0, Angeles 0, Bacud 0
San Beda 55 – Andrada 12, Puno 9, Tagle 7, Royo 5, Payosing 3, Estacio 3, Songcuya 3, Richi Calimag 3, Celzo 3, Sajonia 3, RC Calimag 3, Gonzales 1, Jalbuena 0, Tagala 0
Quarterscores: 21-14, 36-23, 63-35, 68-55
