EMILIO Aguinaldo College is starting to realize that to even be a dark horse this NCAA Season 102, it needs a hell of a lot of work.
The Generals finally broke through the win column, subduing fellow winless team San Sebastian, 94-87, Tuesday at Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.
MJ Raymundo fired 17 points, 10 coming in that superb third quarter charge before the rest of EAC buckled down to work and shut down the pesky SSC-R crew in the clutch.
But his hot stretch almost didn't come to be as EAC lost grip of a 78-66 lead late in the third frame as San Sebastian staged its own 12-3 rally in the fourth to cut the lead to one, 81-80, and set up the tight finish.
"Very glad we got this," expressed a relieved coach Jerson Cabiltes.
"It's very tough kasi lahat ng games namin dikit eh. Like in this game, lamang kami ng 10 pero we had that fourth quarter collapse. Buti na lang this game, my players responded sa dulo."
Wilmar Oftana, fortunately, was there for the Generals finishing with 18 points built from four triples, the game-sealing steal and the undergoal jab that stretched the lead to five, 92-87, with 1:51 to play. He also went a rebound short of a double-double.
Former Stag Jacob Shanoda also got one over his old alma mater, making crucial baskets in the payoff period for his 18 points and five rebounds.
MJ wasn't the only Raymundo to shine as his younger brother Harvae also got his share in tune of his 12 points, four boards, and four steals.
It was another setback for the cellar-dwelling San Sebastian crew, remaining as the only winless team in the league at 0-4.
That also wasted the solid game of rookie Nurben Muktimar who had 12 on a 2-of-4 shooting from deep that went with five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
The Scores:
EAC 94 - Oftana 18, Shanoda 18, M. Raymundo 17, H. Raymundo 12, Nunag 10, Castillo 8, Bagay 5, Ochavo 2, Sealey 2, Luna 2, Bonus 0, Coronel 0, Buen 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 87 - Muktimar 12, Gabat 9, Alforque 9, Cator 8, Ynot 7, Segovia 7, Acosta 7, Bacani 6, Barroga 6, Cuya 6, Ricio 4, Velasco 4, Dimaunahan 2, Cruz 0.
Quarters: 35-26, 51-54, 78-68, 94-87.
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