BY MILES ARCENAL
EMILIO Aguinaldo College continued its march after fending off San Sebastian, 86-71, in the cross-bracket showdown of the NCAA Season 101, Sunday afternoon at the Playtime Filoil Center in San Juan.
The Generals claimed their first back-to-back victories of the season, strengthening their 3-3 campaign.
This came after the Wilmar Oftana and Jude Bagay tandem sparked a second-half surge that allowed the Generals to take command and create a separation for good.
Oftana finished with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Bagay chipped in 17 markers on a 7-of-11 shooting clip.
“Credits sa mga scouting coaches namin kasi na-scout talaga namin ‘yung Baste, ‘Yung mga play nila, kung saan sila pupunta so gladly naman na-deny namin,” Bagay said during the post-game interview.
It was a neck-and-neck opening quarter until the Stags pulled ahead, 27-21 - their biggest lead of the game - midway through the second, as they tried to create some distance.
But the Generals’ scoring duo caught fire, igniting an 11-2 run of their own to reclaim the lead before halftime.
San Sebastian threatened once more after Jhuniel Dela Rama drained a triple to regain the lead 45-44, but EAC responded with a fiery 19-10 blitz to close the third, capped by Bagay’s midrange jumper.
From there, the Jerson Cabiltes-led Generals never looked back in the fourth, maintaining their poise to secure their second consecutive win.
"Ang sabi ko lang naman sa mga bata ay we need to win this game kasi 'yong grupo namin na may Letran, CSB at Beda, umaangat na 'yong wins," said Cabiltes.
Aldeo Lucero also registered 13 points, while Brianne Angeles and Chris Shanoda added eight and six markers, respectively.
On the other hand, Dela Rama put up a valiant effort for the Stags with a double-double of 20 points and 15 boards, while Onell Castor listed 13 points.
The scores:
EAC 86 - Oftana 18, Bagay 17, Lucero 13, Angeles 8, Shanoda 6, Quinal 5, Castillo 5, Postanes 5, Tolentino 3, Ochavo 2, Bacud 2, Villarente 2, Loristo 0, Omandac 0, Devara 0
SSC-R 71 - Dela Rama 20, Castor 13, Nepacena 9, Lumanag 7, Felebrico 6, Gabat 5, Velasco 5, Cuajao 4, Ricio 2, Cruz 0
Quarters: 21-19, 38-37, 63-55, 86-71
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