King Gurtiza powered Emilio Aguinaldo College to a pair of crucial victories, reigniting the team’s bid for a Final Four spot in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.
After winning just three of their first eight games, Gurtiza led the Generals to back-to-back victories last week—a 97-86 win over San Sebastian College-Recoletos and a 78-70 triumph against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
These wins propelled EAC into a tie for fifth place at 5-5 with Lyceum of the Philippines University, giving the team a fighting chance to secure a Final Four berth.
The 6-foot guard averaged 17.5 points, 4.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks during the week, earning him the Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week honor, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, with Discovery Suites and World Balance as minor sponsors for the period from October 8 to 13.
Gurtiza edged out San Beda University’s Yukien Andrada, Lyceum’s Renz Villegas, and College of Saint Benilde’s Allen Liwag to clinch the accolade from the media covering the collegiate league.
In EAC’s comeback win against Perpetual, Gurtiza contributed 21 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals. He emphasized that this victory could provide the momentum needed as the team fights for a Final Four berth in the remaining games.
“Sabi ni Coach [Jerson Cabiltes] sa amin, kailangan talaga ‘tong panalo kasi every game nitong second round is very crucial. So momentum gainer siya going to our next game,” said Gurtiza.
“Maraming salamat at nakuha namin ang panalo na ‘to.”
The EAC veteran shared that the team fully embraced a “never-back-down” mentality as they erased a 24-point deficit against the Altas.
He expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him by his coach and teammates, even after missing several shots. Gurtiza stepped up in the clutch, sinking crucial three-pointers during the fourth quarter to help secure EAC’s fifth win.
“‘Yun nga ‘yung mentality namin na walang bibitaw hangga’t ‘di pa natatapos ‘yung game,” Gurtiza said.
“Kahit lamangan kami ng ilan, nandiyan pa rin kami para humabol, magpahirap sa kalaban namin.
“Ang dami kong tinira, ang dami ko ring sablay. Pero thankful ako sa tiwala na binibigay ni coach, ng mga teammates ko sa ‘kin. Kahit nagmi-miss ako, sa ‘kin pa rin binibigay ‘yung crucial plays so thankful ako sa tiwala na binibigay nila,” he added.
Prior to this, Gurtiza made his presence felt against San Sebastian on October 8, contributing 14 points, six assists, three rebounds, one steal, and one block, further cementing his pivotal role in EAC’s recent success.
