EMILIO Aguinaldo College played its best while San Beda had its worst in a contrasting fate by both teams Tuesday in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.
And it resulted in a historic breakthrough win for the school from San Marcelino.
The red-hot Generals turned up the heat from the get-go and didn’t let up until the endgame to score a resounding 68-55 upset of the reigning champions at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Former Gilas Pilipinas youth Harvey Pagsanjan and Wilmar Oftana sparked the Generals’ early breakaway before the rest of the team joined the scoring fray later on to complete the dominant win that ended the school’s 15-year losing streak to San Beda.
Coming into the game, the Generals were 0-27 against the Red Lions since entering the country’s grand old league in 2009.
“This is a big win for us kung hindi mababaon kami sa standings,” said winning coach Jerson Cabiltes.
Team captain King Gurtiza added, “History yun. Morale boosting ito (para sa amin). EAC community para sa inyo ito.”
Pagsanjan finished with 14 points and seven rebounds and JC Luciano added 13 to show the way for the Generals, who evened their record at 2-2 and tied the Red Lions in the standings.
Emilio Aguinaldo torched San Beda from beyond the three-point arc, shooting 13-of-37, with Pagsanjan going 3-of-6 and Luciano a perfect 4-of-4.
San Beda only led at 2-0 before Emilio Aguinaldo stepped on the gas and began its separation from the defending champion.
The Generals’ biggest lead was at 58-29 in the third period on a basket by Paolo Bagay.
EAC had the game under control that even just their five-point output in the final quarter was more than enough to clinch the win.
Yukien Andrada was the lone bright spot for the Red Lions as he finished with a team-high 12 points along with six rebounds.
A huge letdown for San Beda was rookie guard Bryan Sajonia, who was held to a 1-of-8 shooting for three points.
The Red Lions main man at the point averaged 21.0 points in the team’s first three outings of the season.
The scores
Emilio Aguinaldo 68 – Pagsanjan 14, Luciano 13, Gurtiza 9, Oftana 9, Doromal 6, Quinal 5, Ochavo 4, Bagay 4, Lucero 2, Lorisito 2, Umpad 0, Angeles 0, Bacud 0.
San Beda 55 – Andrada 12, Puno 9, Tagle 7, Royo 5, Payosing 3, Estancio 3, Songcuya 3, Richi Calimag 3, Celzo 3, Sajonia 3, RC Calinag 3, Gonzales 1, Jalbuena 0, Tagala 0.
Quarterscores: 21-14; 36-23; 63-35; 68-55.
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