By: Bjorn Del Deade
Emilio Aguinaldo College staged a massive second-half comeback to overcome a 24-point deficit and defeat University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 78-70, kicking off the second round of the NCAA Season 100 Seniors Basketball Tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Friday.
A sluggish first half saw the Generals fall behind by as much as 24 points.
But then EAC stormed back in the second half, outscoring Perpetual, 46-22.
Leading the charge was King Gurtiza, who tallied nine of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Generals improve to a 5-5 record.
Perpetual appeared to be in full control early on, as EAC struggled offensively.
The Generals went scoreless for the first five minutes of the second quarter before Gurtiza finally broke the drought with a fast-break three-point play, cutting the deficit to 31-19.
However, Christian Pagaran’s jumper extended the Altas’ lead to 44-20 with under three minutes left in the half.
Just as the game seemed to be slipping away, EAC found a spark. The Generals closed the first half with a 12-2 run, cutting Perpetual’s lead to 46-32 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Altas maintained their double-digit lead, holding a 54-40 advantage.
However, EAC began to chip away at the deficit as Wilfarm Oftana hit two clutch three-pointers, sparking a 13-4 run that brought the Generals within five, 58-53.
The momentum fully shifted in the fourth quarter.
Shawn Orgo briefly kept Perpetual ahead, 63-58, with a three-pointer, but EAC responded with back-to-back triples from Gurtiza and Gil Quinal.
The two gave the Generals the lead at 67-66 with 6:14 remaining.
Perpetual managed to stay within striking distance, with John Boral and Orgo hitting crucial free throws to pull the Altas within two, 72-70.
However, Gurtiza delivered a dagger three-pointer, extending EAC’s lead to five, 75-70, with under a minute to play.
In the final seconds, Mark Gojo Cruz had a chance to make a play for Perpetual, but Jethro Ochavo stripped the ball, securing a key steal that effectively sealed the game.
Ochavo and Harvey Pagsanjan sank the final free throws to close out the win for the Generals, 78-70.
EAC dominated the paint, out-rebounding Perpetual 46-36, including 20 offensive rebounds.
Despite committing 15 turnovers, the Generals capitalized on Perpetual’s 17 turnovers, converting them into 31 points compared to just 14 for the Altas.
Oftana chipped in 12 points, including four three-pointers, while also grabbing eight rebounds.
Gelo Loristo added 10 points in support of EAC’s balanced attack.
EAC will next face the Mapua Cardinals on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 2:30 PM.
For Perpetual, Orgo led with 16 points, while Cedrick Abis contributed 14.
Pagaran added 10 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Altas from dropping to a 4-6 record.
The Altas, who fell to 4-6 for seventh, will look to bounce back against the Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Sunday, Oct. 13, at 12:00 PM.
Both games will take place at the same venue.
The Scores:
Emilio Aguinaldo 78 – Gurtiza 21, Oftana 12, Loristo 10, Quinal 9, Pagsanjan 7, Ochavo 6, Umpad 4, Lucero 3, Bagay 3, Angeles 2, Manacho 1, Devara 0, Jacob 0, Bacud 0, Luciano 0
Perpetual Help 70 – Orgo 16, Abis 14, Pagaran 10, Gojo Cruz 8, Montemayor 7, Nuñez 5, Gelsano 5, Boral 3, Manuel 2, Cauguiran 0
Quarterscores: 16-21, 32-46, 53-58, 78-70
