Season host Jose Rizal University handed Emilio Aguinaldo College its first loss in a hard-fought 77-71 battle during the NCAA Season 99 Seniors Basketball Tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City on Wednesday.
Agem Miranda had another outstanding performance for the Heavy Bombers with 20 points, four rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
Marwin Dionisio also had a productive outing with 15 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two blocks, while Joshua Guiab contributed 13 points of his own.
The Generals kept the match close for three and a half quarters. JRU only began to pull ahead in the fourth quarter, increasing its lead to 11, 74-63, after a jumper from Vince Sarmiento.
EAC failed to narrow the deficit at that point, allowing JRU to escape with the 77-71 win.
“Ang pinanggagalingan lang naman nito ang pinagtrabuhan namin sa preseason na, more than the basketball, yung commitment nila sa ginagawa ng buong team. Alam naman natin na hindi magiging madali. EAC is a great team,” said coach Louie Gonzalez on the win.
The Heavy Bombers improved to a 3-1 record for the season, tying with Mapua University. They will face the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Nat Cosejo led the Generals’ offense with 15 points and nine rebounds. Ralph Robin had 12 points, King Gurtiza contributed 11, and JP Maguilano added a near double-double of 10 points and nine rebounds.
The Generals fell to a 2-1 record for the season, tied with San Beda University. They prepare for their game against Mapua University on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Scores:
JRU 77 – Miranda 20, Dionisio 15, Guiab 13, Medina 8, Sarmiento 7, Argente 5, Pabico 4, Delos Santos 3, Mosqueda 2, Ramos 0, De Leon 0, Arenal 0, Barrera 0, Sy 0
EAC 71 – Cosejo 15, Robin 12, Gurtiza 11, Maguliano 12, Dominguez 6, Cosa 6, Quinal 3, Tolentino 2, Bacud 2, Luciano 2, Angeles 2, Ochavo 0, Ednilag 0, Umpad 0, Balowa 0
Quarterscores: 24-19, 39- 36, 57-52, 77-71
