KING Gurtiza took charge in overtime and steered Emilio Aguinaldo College past Arellano University, 87-80, in the NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The EAC captain finished with a game-high 18 points, including seven in the extra period, to help the Generals take control of the first overtime game in just the second playdate of the new season.
Gurtiza nailed five straight points, highlighted by a corner three, that made it an 82-79 lead in his side's favor in the final 2:52 of the tightly-contested match.
He finished with a 3-of-5 shooting clip from beyond the arc and added four rebounds and three assists.
“Sabi lang ni coach [Jerson Cabiltes], stay composed lang talaga. Kasi yung mga talo namin last season, lamang na kami tapos nahahabol pa. Yung composure talaga ang pinaka-importante dun,” said Gurtiza.
Harvey Pagsanjan added 13 in his league debut and Norbie Lucero chimed in 11 for the Generals, who saw their early 13-point lead wiped out by the Chiefs at the end of the third quarter for a slim 60-59 edge.
“Luckily for us we have veterans who were able to execute towards the end,” said Cabiltes, referring to Gurtiza, Pagsanjan, and Axel Doromal in overtime.
Chiefs fall short
It was a sorry loss for Arellano, which was still in control, 70-65, with less than four minutes left in regulation before big man Lorenz Capulong was called for his second technical foul for an outright ejection.
That gave EAC the leeway to come back and even take a 77-75 lead on a basket by Nico Quinal. Maverick Vinoya then sent the game into overtime, 77-77, in the Chiefs' final play.
The Generals then opened the extra period on Gurtiza's personal 5-0 run to claim the lead they would never relinquish.
“It’s a test of character beating Arellano which is a very tough team,” said Cabiltes. “Malaking bagay ito because Mapua will be the next game on Wednesday, CSB on Saturday, and Tuesday against San Beda. So these are big games for us.”
Capulong had a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds in a losing cause for the Chiefs.
The Scores:
EAC 87 – Gurtiza 18, Pagsanjan 13, Lucero 11, Quinal 9, Oftana 9, Doromal 8, Octavo 7, Loristo 4, Manacho 4, Angeles 2, Bagay 2, Luciano 0, Umpad 0, Bacud 0.
ARELLANO 80 – Capulong 18, Valencia 16, Vinoya 13, Ongotan 10, Hernal 5, Acop 5, Camay 5, De Leon 4, Estacio 2, Miller 2, Borromeo 0, Espiritu 0, Dela Cruz 0, Libang 0, Geronimo 0.
Quarters: 24-17; 46-38; 60-59; 77-77 (reg); 87-80.
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