By: Leiniel Santos
Emilio Aguinaldo College-Immaculate Conception Academy’s rise in the NCAA Season 100 Juniors Basketball Tournament continued as the Brigadiers fended off the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers, 57-55, to claim a share of the top spot, Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Meanwhile, Colegio de San Juan de Letran and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA bounced back with strong performances.
The Squires outlasted the La Salle Green Hills Greenies in an overtime thriller, 86-80, while the Junior Altas overpowered the Arellano Braves, 91-80.
With the results, EAC-ICA improved to 3-1, tying the San Beda Red Cubs and Perpetual at the top of the standings.
The final minute turned into a fierce battle, with JRU making a late push. However, a crucial foul by Light Bomber CJ Satparam on Brigadier Rodennel Campana proved costly, as EAC capitalized on free throws to extend their lead to five.
JRU’s Lee Marin hit a clutch three-pointer and, with 1.1 seconds left, regained possession after an offensive foul on EAC’s inbound attempt. But the Brigadiers held firm, denying the Light Bombers a chance to steal the win.
EJ Castillo led EAC with 15 points, three rebounds, and five assists, while Ian Cuajao finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. Kelly Coronel also delivered, adding 12 points and nine boards.
Brigadiers coach Noy Catalan acknowledged the struggles of his second unit, which allowed the Bombers to close the gap.
“Nangyari pag nilabas ko ‘yung first group ko, nagkukulang ‘yung production ng second group namin. ‘Yun lang talaga ‘yung problema namin… walang kumpyansa ‘yung mga second group,” said the lead deputy of Generals head coach Jerson Cabiltes.
Four Junior Altas, on the other hand, scored in double figures to power Perpetual past Arellano.
Dan Rosales led the way with 19 points and two rebounds, while Jan Roluna tallied 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block.
Jan Pagulayan added 17 points, five rebounds, and an assist. Lebron Jhames Daep chipped in 14 points, eight boards, and two dimes.
Perpetual held a comfortable lead for most of the contest. However, Arellano showed resilience, taking a brief 64-63 lead in the third quarter. But the Braves struggled offensively in the final frame, allowing the Junior Altas to capitalize on their defense-to-offense execution.
“The scores are coming from our defense, eh. I don’t wanna say naman na ‘wag umiscore, sabi ko lang sa kanila, our offense starts with our defense,” Perpetual head coach John Cleopas shared.
Letran and La Salle Green Hills, meanwhile, engaged in a seesaw battle before the Squires pulled through in overtime.
The Squires gained momentary control in the fourth, leading 70-62 with 3:18 left, but the Greenies countered with a furious rally, capped by a clutch three-pointer from Jacob Hizon to go up 71-70.
A crucial foul by Ram Sharma on Padilla during a three-point attempt gave the Letran star three free throws, but he converted only one, forcing overtime.
The Squires took command in the extra period, tightening their defense to secure the win.
Letran head coach Willie Miller credited his team’s defensive commitment.
“‘Yung effort ng mga players, so hindi nag-give up… Ito ‘yung sinasabi ko [sa kanila], hindi kailangan maka-shoot muna bago dumepensa… Good thing ngayon, nag-share sila ng bola kahit di sila ‘yung nakaka-shoot, natutuwa sila, kaya dume-depensa sila,” he said.
Daniel Padilla exploded for 26 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while Jhuniel Dela Rama delivered a monster double-double of 18 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists.
The loss dropped the Light Bombers to 2-2, joining the Greenies, Squires, Braves, and Malayan Red Robins in the middle of the pack.
Sean Franco paced the Braves with a double-double of 18 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists. Axel Mendoza contributed 15 points, eight rebounds, and one assist, while Johnray Ladica added 13 points, one board, and one dime.
Guillan Quines led the Greenies with 33 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, while Gian Gomez added 12 points, one rebound, and three assists.
JRU had 10 of its 11 players contribute offensively, led by Marin’s 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Jayson Castillo chipped in 10 points and six boards.
The Scores
Third Game
EAC-ICA 57 – Castillo 15, Cuajao 15, Coronel 12, Bonus 4, Canonigo 4, Campana 2, Taganas 2, Iraham 0, Lanceta 0, Tecson 0, Bautista 0, Castillo 0
JRU 55 – Marin 12, Castillo 10, Satparam 8, Callueng 6, Almario 4, Abequibel 4, Pinzon 4, Ferrer 3, Lacusong 2, Ong 2, To 0
Quarterscores: 22-6, 34-18, 43-36, 57-55
Fourth Game
CSJL 86 – Padilla 26, Dela Rama 18, Valdeavilla 7, Quijada 6, Cargo 6, Lumague 5, Silorio 5, Villanueva 4, Paguio 4, Cruz 2, Alforque 2, Hugo 1, Danan 0, Quinones 0, Magcale 0
LSGH 80 – Quines 33, Gomez 12, Sharma 7, Abad 6, Ison 6, Podador 4, Hizon 3, Osis 3, Peralta 2, Ortega 0
Quarterscores: 18-16, 36-33, 52-50, 71-71, 86-80
Fifth Game
UPHSD 92 – Rosales 19, Roluna 18, Pagulayan 17, Daep 14, Corpuz 8, Tabbuan 7, Callangan 5, Borja 2, Velasquez 2, Nitura 0, Baldoria 0, Zanoria 0, Cristino 0
AU 80 – Franco 18, Mendoza 15, Ladica 13, Yusi 9, Manansala 9, Baluyot 9, Dy 7, Aurita 0, Austria 0, Pangilinan 0, Vergara 0, Pascual 0, Pillas 0, Ferriols 0
Quarterscores: 29-19, 50-36, 69-64, 92-80
