By: Miguel Caramoan
Wilmar Oftana’s hot shooting and Jude Bagay’s efficient scoring powered Emilio Aguinaldo College to a convincing 86-71 win over San Sebastian College-Recoletos in the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Oftana recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 44.4% from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the 6-foot-2 Bagay added 17 points on an impressive 63.6% clip, leading the Generals’ balanced attack.
“Si Jude [Bagay] nakita namin yung strengths niya at the post, so we need to capitalize on that. Ngayon si Wilmar [Oftana] is playing at the four position, so he’s a stretch four, kaya hirap maka-help yung tao niya,” EAC head coach Jerson Cabiltes said about how they utilized their top two scorers in the game.
With the Generals’ win, a logjam has formed for third place in Group B, as three teams — including Letran and JRU — now hold identical 3-3 records, further reinforcing the “group of death” tag.
“Sinabi ko lang naman sa mga bata is we need to win this game because it’s very vital for us kasi yung ka-grupo namin na Letran, CSB, [San] Beda, and even JRU umaangat na yung wins. So kailangan namin to catch up, kaya it’s very hard kung matatalo kami this game,” Cabiltes added, explaining the intensity of Group B play.
EAC started the game aggressively, making 8-of-11 free throws in the first quarter. However, the Golden Stags kept pace behind Jhuniel Dela Rama’s nine early points and two late baskets from Jose Lumanag, trimming the deficit to just two points at the end of the period.
San Sebastian opened the second quarter with an 8-0 run, highlighted by baskets from Dela Rama and Gabriel Nepacena, taking a 27-21 lead with 8:29 remaining. But EAC responded with an 11-of-15 run, fueled by Bagay and Oftana, reclaiming the advantage by halftime.
In the third quarter, the Generals extended their lead to double digits at 63-53 after a Bagay jumper with 44 seconds remaining. Nico Quinal, Brianne Angeles, and Aldeo Lucero also contributed key baskets, helping EAC outscore the Golden Stags 25-18 in the period.
The momentum carried into the final quarter, with EAC winning 23-16. The lead peaked at 17 points with 4:29 remaining, courtesy of a Joshua Tolentino three-pointer.
“Nung first half kasi, I was very upset so nung halftime break talagang we talked kasi dami naming lapses, especially on defense. So I just told the boys na kapag natalo kami dito sa game na ito, we’re going straight to EAC to practice,” Cabiltes said, explaining the Generals’ strong second-half performance.
The Generals aim to continue their winning streak when they face the struggling LPU Pirates on Saturday at the same venue.
Meanwhile, the Golden Stags drop to 1-5 but remain in fourth place in Group A. They also saw Jhuniel Dela Rama’s standout performance — 20 points and 14 rebounds on 3-of-6 shooting — go to waste.
San Sebastian received little contribution from returning players Tristan Felebrico and Ian Cuajao, who combined for just 10 points on a poor 15% shooting clip.
The Golden Stags will try to end their three-game losing streak against the Benilde Blazers on Wednesday, also at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Scores:
Emilio Aguinaldo 86 – Oftana 18, Bagay 17, Lucero 13, Angeles 8, Shanoda 6, Castillo 5, Quinal 5, Postanes 5, Tolentino 3, Ochavo 2, Bacud 2, Villarente 2, Loristo 0, Omandac 0, Devara 0
San Sebastian 71 – Dela Rama 20, Castor 13, Nepacena 9, Lumanag 7, Felebrico 6, Gabat 5, Velasco 5, Cuajao 4, Ricio 2, Cruz 0
Quarterscores: 21-19, 38-37, 63-55, 86-71
