Emilio Aguinaldo College survived a comeback scare from College of Saint Benilde, winning 70-65 in Group Edge of the 2023 Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup at the Enderun College Gymnasium on Tuesday.
Nat Cosejo was the highest scorer for the Generals with 22 points, seven rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Ralph Robin also contributed with 13 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
“Yun nga, we’re practicing our system, kung effective ba or if our system is working. So, we’re checking it out, so ‘yun lang,” said Generals head coach Jerson Cabales on how they were able to overcome CSB.
With EAC up by nine, 68-59, the Blazers’ Justine Sanchez, Felipe Maragsigan, and Allen Liwag sparked a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to three, 68-65, with 47.8 seconds left in the game.
However, a near-scuffle occurred between CSB’s Jhomel Ancheta and EAC’s Joshua Tolentino, with 6.25 seconds left in the contest. Joshua Tolentino was given two free throws and shot both, sealing the victory for the Generals.
Liwag got a double-double of 23 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, and two steals against his former team. Zenric Jarque contributed 10 points, while Sanchez and Ancheta chipped in nine points apiece.
Will Gozum did not play in the game as he is still committed to MPBL team Quezon.
In another Group Edge stunner battle, San Sebastian College-Recoletos scored a 77-67 upset of National University.
Rafael Are shone brightest for the Golden Stags with 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Albert Gabat scored high with 16 points and six rebounds.
James Una performed well in his return for San Sebastian, scoring seven points, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.
Kean Baclaan and Mohammed Diassana led the Bulldogs with 13 points each, with the latter adding seven rebounds, while John Lloyd Clemente added 10 points.
Meanwhile, in Group Prime, Paolo Hernandez and Clint Escamis pushed Mapua University to escape a late rally from Lyceum of the Philippines University, winning 83-79.
Hernandez scored 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the free-throw line, with three rebounds and two assists for the Cardinals, while Escamis recorded seven points, six rebounds, and five assists. Jopet Soriano and Warren Bonifacio finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
On the other hand, Simon Penafiel and John Barba paced the Pirates with 17 and 15 points, respectively, while Gyle Montaño contributed 14 points.
