By: Joaquin Cortez
Emilio Aguinaldo College stormed back from a 19-point second-half deficit to stun College of Saint Benilde, 86-78, and snap the Blazers’ four-game winning streak in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Coming off back-to-back losses to Mapúa University and Jose Rizal University, EAC snapped its two-game skid to improve to 3-5. Benilde, meanwhile, dropped to 6-2, missing an opportunity to claim sole possession of the Group A lead.
Joseph Nunag led EAC’s remarkable comeback with 17 points and five rebounds off the bench, while Wilmar Oftana added 15 points and three rebounds. Jacob Shanoda and EJ Castillo chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively.
“Down kami sa standings, 2-5 kami [entering the game] kaya kailangan talaga naming manalo. ‘Di naman porket best player ako para manalo lang. Kumbaga, collective effort kaming lahat,” said Nunag. “‘Yung sistema ni coach, sinunod lang namin ‘yung adjustment sa third quarter at nakapag-adjust kami.”
The Blazers dominated the first half, with SJ Moore draining a three-pointer to stretch their lead to 19 points, 54-35, their biggest advantage of the game.
However, EAC quickly erased the deficit, launching its comeback in the third quarter. Shanoda converted a reverse layup to pull the Generals within three, 61-58.
Benilde tried to reestablish its advantage, but Castillo answered with a fastbreak layup to keep EAC within striking distance, 71-68.
The Generals finally took control in the fourth quarter, scoring five unanswered points capped by Oftana’s three-pointer, which gave EAC its first lead since the opening minutes, 75-73.
EAC sustained its momentum as Nunag and Oftana delivered timely baskets inside to stretch the lead to six, 81-75, with more than four minutes remaining.
Benilde refused to go down without a fight, as John Morales knocked down a three-pointer to cut the deficit to three, 81-78. However, EAC came up with crucial defensive stops before Nunag sank a turnaround jumper to restore a five-point cushion, 83-78, with 1:53 left.
MJ Raymundo then completed an and-one play to push the Generals’ lead to eight, 86-78, with 45.9 seconds remaining, putting the finishing touches on EAC’s comeback victory.
“Siyempre, important sa amin na tulungan ang bawat isa, especially nag-step up si Nunag offensively and defensively [pero] kailangan lahat eh kasi we are not that strong katulad ng mga nasa top teams na overloaded with talent,” said EAC coach Jerson Cabiltes. “Ang ruling kasi namin, kahit na six seconds or five seconds ka lang ginamit, just do your own and support your teammates.”
Sanchez and Morales led the Blazers with 16 points apiece, while Jhomel Ancheta posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists.
EAC will look to build on its momentum when it faces San Beda University on Monday, Oct. 19, at 3 p.m. Benilde, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back against Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 3 p.m.
The Scores:
Emilio Aguinaldo 86 – Nunag 17, Oftana 15, Shanoda 13, Castillo 12, Bagay 7, Coronel 7, M. Raymundo 6, Ochavo 3. H. Raymundo 3, Bonus 3, Luna 0, Sealey 0.
Saint Benilde 78 – Sanchez 16, Morales 16, Ancheta 14, Moore 11, Jucom 6, Arciaga 5, Cajucom 5, Podador 3, Go 2, Torres 0, Lorenzo 0, Jarque 0, Daja 0.
Quarterscores: 23-29, 40-56, 68-71, 86-78.
