EMILIO Aguinaldo COLLEGE found its touch in the second half to overhaul a huge 24-point deficit and nip University of Perpetual Help, 77-70, on Friday in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.
King Gurtiza finished what Wilmer Oftana started, spearheading a huge fourth-quarter shooting spree by the Generals that completed a comeback from a 44-20 halftime deficit.
The EAC team captain finished with a game-high 21 points on four three pointers, none more significant than the one he drained inside the final two minutes that made it a 75-70 contest for the Generals.
Oftana had 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting from long distance as he led the team’s comeback during the third quarter before Gurtiza took over in the fourth.
“Sabi lang ni coach ‘walang bibitaw. Mahaba pa ito,” Gurtiza recalled of coach Jerson Cabiltes’ halftime huddle inside the dugout.
In all, the Generals shot 11-of-28 from three point range to help raise their record to 5-5 after winning their second straight game.
Oftana also had eight rebounds for EAC, which missed guard Axel Doromal due to a strained hamstring.
Shawn Orgo topscored for the Altas with 16 points, two assists, and four steals, while Cedrick Abis and Christian Pagaran added 14 and 10, respectively.
Rookie sensation Mark Gojo Cruz was held to eight points, six rebounds, and six assists as the Altas went down to their fourth straight loss for a 4-6 record.
The scores:
Emilio Aguinaldo (78) - Gurtiza 21, Oftana 12, Loristo 10, Quinal 9, Pagsanjan 7, Ochavo 6, Umpad 4, Lucero 3, Bagay 3, Angeles 2, Manacho 1, Devara 0, Jacob 0, Bacud 0, Luciano 0.
Perpetual Help (70) - Orgo 16, Abis 14, Pagaran 10, Gojo Cruz 8, Montemayor 7, Nuñez 5, Gelsano 5, Boral 3, Manuel 2, Cauguiran 0.
Quarterscores: 16-21; 32-46; 53-58; 78-70.
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