Back inside the top four, the EAC Generals keep their Final Four hopes alive after downing the Arellano Chiefs in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball action
MANILA, Philippines – Emilio Aguinaldo College continued to prove that it deserves to be in the top four.
Showing incredible endgame resolve, the EAC Generals turned back the Arellano Chiefs, 69-59, to stay in the tight race to the Final Four in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday, November 9, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The crucial victory propelled the Generals back inside the top four with an 8-8 record, tied with the Lyceum Pirates.
Standing ahead of them are the St. Benilde Blazers (13-2), the Mapua Cardinals (12-3), and the San Beda Red Lions (10-5). The sixth-running Letran Knights (7-9) also remain in the semis race.
Harvey Pagsanjan powered the Generals with an all-around game of 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and a block.
King Gurtiza also came through with 13 points, 9 boards, and 5 assists, while Gelo Loristo added a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds for EAC.
If EAC sweeps its last two games — against Lyceum on Tuesday and JRU on Friday — the team will reach the semifinals for the first time since joining the country’s oldest collegiate league 15 years ago.
“We need to win that game,” said EAC coach Jerson Cabiltes.
The Chiefs, who fell to 6-10, showed a lot fight in them for three quarters and were just down by a bucket, 52-50, heading into the final quarter.
But the Generals responded with a pivotal 11-0 run and held on to the lead in the closing minutes.
Earlier, San Sebastian downed Perpetual, 83-72, in a battle of eliminated teams.
Tristen Felebrico collected 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists to lead the Stags, who improved to 5-11.
Perpetual fell to a 6-11 record.
The Scores
First Game
San Sebastian 83 – Felebrico 18, R. Gabat 15, Escobido 14, Are 12, L. Gabat 4, Aguilar 3, Pascual 3, Cruz 3, Ramilo 3, Velasco 2, Lintol 2, Suico 2, Ricio 2, Maliwat 0, Barroga 0.
Perpetual 72 – Pagaran 16, Gojo Cruz 14, Montemayor 10, Manuel 8, Pizarro 8, Abis 7, Boral 5, Gelsano 2, Nuñez 1, Sevilla 1, Thompson 0, Danag 0.
Quarters: 16-24, 41-31, 63-52, 83-72.
Second Game
EAC 69 – Pagsanjan 17, Gurtiza 13, Loristo 10, Jacob 9, Oftana 5, Ochavo 4, Lucero 4, Quinal 3, Bagay 2, Luciano 2, Umpad 0, Doromal 0, Bacud 0.
Arellano 59 – Ongotan 14, Valencia 13, Borromeo 11, Hernal 6, Geronimo 5, Capulong 5, Vinoya 5, Camay 0, Abiera 0, Acop 0, Libang 0, Miller 0
Quarters: 21-18, 34-33, 52-50, 69-59.
– Rappler.com
