By: Joaquin Cortez
Emilio Aguinaldo College outlasted Lyceum of the Philippines University, 89-79, to notch its second straight win in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Friday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan City.
With the win, the Generals improved to 2-3 after opening the season with three straight losses, while the Pirates suffered their fourth defeat in five games under new head coach Jamike Jarin.
“I always tell the boys that fourth quarters in the NCAA are very tough. So who’s going to win in the end, towards the fourth quarter? Who’s going to take the big shots and who’s going to make the defensive stops? ‘Yun ‘yung mananalo,” head coach Jerson Cabiltes said. “Luckily, we made big shots, and we forced them turnovers. We had fastbreak points towards the end … at least nakuha namin ang panalo.”
After a sluggish opening frame, Emilio Aguinaldo flipped the momentum with a 14-0 run to open the second quarter before Lyceum retaliated.
The Pirates tried to chip away at the deficit, but a triple from Jinryl Baniqued allowed the Generals to restore their double-digit cushion at halftime, 55-44.
Lyceum came roaring out of the break, rattling off nine straight points to pull within two after Renz Villegas’ layup made it 55-53.
EAC answered just enough to keep its lead, but Simon Penafiel’s layup cut the deficit to one heading into the final period, 65-64.
The Generals looked ready to seize control with a 6-0 burst to open the final frame, but Rubico had other plans, fueling a 7-0 Pirates surge of his own that put Lyceum in front, 74-73.
Both teams continued to trade blows before Wilmar Oftana’s layup put the Generals up by three with over two minutes remaining. Joseph Nunag then converted a fastbreak layup to stretch EAC’s lead to five, 84-79.
Rubico tried to take over in the clutch but could not convert a crucial layup, allowing Oftana to knock down a timely triple on the ensuing possession. Khen Caduyac then added a layup to seal the deal as the Generals escaped with the 89-79 victory.
“Nag-scouting kami ni coach kasi ginigisa niya talaga kami kasi kapag gigil kaming tumira tapos sinasabihan niya kami na tira namin ‘yun pero kailangan huwag siyang forced kasi bababa ang chances,” Generals guard EJ Castillo said.
Emilio Aguinaldo capitalized on Lyceum’s miscues, turning 24 points off turnovers into just eight for the Pirates. The Generals also won the fastbreak battle, 28-12.
Castillo spearheaded the Generals’ offense with 23 points on an efficient 9-of-14 shooting, along with three rebounds and two assists off the bench. Oftana chipped in 13 points and six rebounds, while Jude Bagay finished with 12 points.
For the Pirates, Rubico led the team with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Roger Ondoa added 20 points, seven rebounds, and two steals.
The Generals will next face Mapúa University on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 5:00 p.m., while Lyceum will go up against Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 3:00 p.m.
The Scores:
Emilio Aguinaldo 89 – Castillo 23, Oftana 13, Bagay 12, H. Raymundo 9, M. Raymundo 9, Nunag 8, Bonus 6, Shanoda 6, Baniqued 3, Ochavo 0, Coronel 0, Sealey 0, Mundas 0, Buen 0.
Lyceum 79 – Rubico 21, Ondoa 20, Villegas 11, Matienzo 8, Aurigue 7, Penqafiel 6, Pallingayan 3, Aviles 2, Manuel 1, Guadana 0, Panelo 0, Fuentes 0, Cardinas 0, Daileg 0, Caduyac 0.
Quarterscores: 20-26, 55-44, 65-64, 89-79.
