Emilio Aguinaldo College returned to the winning column after whipping cellar-dwelling San Sebastian, 97-86, securing its fourth win to close the first round of the NCAA Season 100 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Coming off a tough loss to the JRU Heavy Bombers last Saturday, the Generals needed this win to boost their record to 4-5, creating a three-way tie for fifth place alongside the Lyceum Pirates and the Perpetual Help Altas.
In contrast, the Stags suffered their seventh consecutive loss to end the first round, having started the NCAA’s centennial season with two wins.
“We badly needed this win kasi pag natalo kami, we’re gonna be at the bottom of the standings. This win still gives us a fighting chance going into the next round. We’re two games behind from the fourth seed pero maganda pa naman ang chances namin,” said EAC head coach Jerson Cabiltes.
A strong showing in the opening frame, where they outscored their opponents 30-17, provided the Generals with the cushion they needed to separate themselves from a desperate Stags squad.
EAC continued to build on its strong start, extending its 13-point advantage to a game-high 21 points, leading 70-49 early in the third quarter.
However, the Stags fought back in the payoff period, cutting a 19-point deficit down to as low as 11, highlighted by a layup from Raymart Escobido and a three-pointer combined with an and-one basket from Josel Barroga.
“We need to finish strong ‘eh. Sa scouting report naman, kitang-kita ko naman na yung Baste talagang humahabol ‘yan ‘eh… I keep on reminding them sa halftime and sa start ng fourth quarter na we need to start strong sa fourth and don’t commit errors and don’t give easy baskets,” Cabiltes added.
Harvey Pagsanjan led EAC’s balanced attack with a career-high 20-point performance, shooting 7-of-9 from the field, along with three rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. King Gurtiza contributed 14 points, six assists, three rebounds, one steal, and one block.
Paolo Bagay added 13 points, five rebounds, and an assist, while Wilmar Oftana recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Nino Ochavo also made an impact with nine points, eight rebounds, six assists, and three steals in 18 minutes and 26 seconds of play.
For the Stags, Tristan Felebrico led the way in the losing effort with a game-high 21 points, complemented by 12 rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Escobido contributed 19 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
Ameer Aguilar chipped in 13 points, three rebounds, and two assists in just over 13 minutes, while Reggz Gabat added 10 points, four rebounds, and an assist.
The Scores:
Emilio Aguinaldo 97 – Pagsanjan 20, Gurtiza 14, Bagay 14, Oftana 10, Ochavo 9, Quinal 8, Luciano 7, Jacob 6, Bacud 5, Loristo 3, Lucero 2, Doromal 0, Manacho 0, Devara 0
San Sebastian 80 – Felebrico 21, Escobido 19, Aguilar 13, R. Gabat 10, Are 7, Maliwat 3, L. Gabat 3, Cruz 2, Lintol 1, Barroga 1, Velasco 0, Pascual 0, Ricio 0
Quarterscores: 30-17, 54-41, 76-58, 97-80
