JUDE Bagay carried the fight before EJ Castillo hit the big shots in overtime as Emilio Aguinaldo College repelled a determined Perpetual Help side to take a 92-89 win and bolster its case for a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Season 102 men's basketball tournament on Friday at the San Andres Gym in Manila.
The Generals lost a 12-point lead and was dragged into the extension after a gutsy baseline jumper by Jim Corpuz.
But the boys of coach Jerson Cabiltes retook control in the overtime, with Castillo hitting a backbreaking three to give the Generals a four-point lead, 90-86. Mark Gojo Cruz responded with a three-point play on the other end, but Bagay cemented his big game with two clutch free throws, the buffer the Generals needed to hold on to the win.
"Yon lagi problema namin, how to finish games at nag-show up na naman," Cabiltes said.
"I was so frustrated. Buti nag-steup sila sa overtime."
Bagay finished with 26 points while Castillo filled the statsheet with 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Kyle Ochavo added 14 while Wilmar Oftana and Joseph Nunag chipped in 13 apiece.
EAC closing in
The win allowed EAC to tie the skidding Arellano at 5-6 with two games to go for the second spot in Group B.
Fittingly, the two teams will close out each other's run in the group stage on November 9 which could determine who ends up with the last twice-to-beat incentive in the group.
EAC, however, has Letran left before facing Arellano but will have the benefit of momentum having won three of their last four games.
Arellano will still play the winless San Sebastian before the tussle with the Generals, but they have been on a slump as of late, with six losses in the last seven games and star player T-Mc Ongotan yet to be 100 percent.
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