By: Bjorn Del Deade
Emilio Aguinaldo College made history on Tuesday, taking down defending champion San Beda University with a 68-55 victory.
This monumental win marked the first time in 15 years that the Generals managed to defeat the Red Lions, breaking a decades-long streak of heartbreaks.
The victory was particularly sweet for Harvey Pagsanjan, who led EAC with 14 points and five rebounds.
Reflecting on the win, the former University of the East guard shared how the team had been preparing for this moment for a long time.
“‘Yun ‘yung lagi naming, off-season, palagi naming pinaghahandaan, which is ‘yun nga – papaano namin tatalunin yung San Beda,” Pagsanjan said.
He emphasized just how much this victory meant to him and the team.
“Isa siya sa accomplishment na matalo ang San Beda, which is yun nga, pag natalo namin sila, history. Ang sarap sa feeling na manalo kami sa kanila.”
Veterans like King Gurtiza had endured several losses to San Beda over the years.
With time running out for many of EAC’s key players, this NCAA Season 100 felt like an all-or-nothing moment for the Generals.
“Lagi nila sinasabi sa’kin kailangan manalo naman tayo sa San Beda ngayon,” Pagsanjan shared.
“So ako, sinasabi ko sa kanila na, sige ipapanalo natin ‘to kasi next year wala na kami rito. So kung matatalo tayo ngayon, di na tayo makakabawi next year.”
Despite the euphoria surrounding the historic win, Pagsanjan was quick to put things into perspective. He acknowledged that while this was a major accomplishment, the Generals’ full potential has yet to be realized.
With the Generals sitting at a 2-2 win-loss record, Pagsanjan said the focus now shifts to unlocking that potential and securing a spot in the Final Four for the first time in team history.
“After ng win namin nung San Beda, mas magiging team kami,” Pagsanjan said.
“Mas gagawin namin ‘yong mga kailangan namin gawin kasi nakita na namin ‘yong kaya naming gawin sa game.”
The win over San Beda was a significant breakthrough, but for Pagsanjan and the Generals, the journey is far from over.
