EMILIO Aguinaldo added to San Sebastian’s woes with a 97-86 win in the final day of the NCAA first round eliminations in Season 100 of the men’s basketball tournament.
The Generals were never in trouble the entire game at the Mall of Asia Arena and didn’t even blink when the Stags made a last ditch stand in the final quarter.
Rookie Harvey Pagsanjan, the former University of the East stalwart, top scored for a career-best 20 points while King Gurtiza added 14 for EAC, which raised its record to 4-5 overall, while dealing the smaller San Sebastian team a seventh straight loss.
“Malilit kasi yung Baste kaya panay atake ang ginawa ko,” said Pagsanjan at the end of the league’s first triple header for the season.
Added coach Jerson Cabiltes, “San Sebastian is a very dangerous team. We did a good job in the first half, and I just told the boys to finish the game strong.”
EAC also registered a new-season high 30 assists in a fitting performance that should augur well to the Generals’ campaign in the second round that begins Friday.
“We’re two games behind (Final Four standings), but we’re up to the challenge,” said Cabiltes as the Generals are tied with Perpetual Help and Lyceum at fifth place.
Tristan Felebrico finished with 21 points and Raymart Escobido with 19 in yet another losing cause for the Stags, who fell to 2-7 overall following a promising start to the season.
The scores
Emilio Aguinaldo 97 -- Pagsanjan 20, Gurtiza 14, Bagay 14, Oftana 10, Ochavo 9, Quinal 8, Luciano 7, Jacob 6, Bacud 5, Loristo 3, Lucero 2, Doromal 0, Manacho 0, Devara 0.
San Sebastian 80 -- Felebrico 21, Escobido 19, Aguilar 13, R. Gabat 10, Are 7, Maliwat 3, L. Gabat 3, Cruz 2, Lintol 1, Barroga 1, Velasco 0, Pascual 0, Ricio 0.
Quarters: 30-17; 54-41; 76-58; 97-80.
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