NCAA: EAC spoils Manalili’s return with crucial win vs. Letran

MANILA — Emilio Aguinaldo College spoiled Titing Manalili’s return to action on Thursday, taking a 78-71 win over Letran in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament at the San Juan Arena.

Letran’s star guard made his comeback after sitting out a long stretch due to a sprained right knee, tallying eight points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 20 minutes.

But he was outshone by EAC big man Jacob Shanoda, who steered the Generals to the win that hiked their record to 6-6 — tied with Arellano University for the second spot in Group B.

Shanoda delivered 16 points and eight rebounds, bouncing back from a scoreless stint in their overtime win against Perpetual Help last Friday.

“No’ng last game kasi namin, talagang na-zero ako against Perps. Sabi sa’kin ni coach Jerson (Cabiltes), kailangan ko bumawi at kailangan ‘di ako magpapatinag sa mga big man na makakalaban namin in the next games,” he said.

“Tinake ko lang ‘yon as a challenge din at nagbunga lang din ngayong araw.”

EAC led convincingly entering the intermission, 45-37, before opening the third quarter with an 11-6 blitz capped off by a Kyle Ochavo triple for the 56-43 advantage.

The Generals ended the penultimate period with a 51-63 lead.

EAC continued to pummel Letran in the fourth as they led by as much as 17 points, 72-55, courtesy of an EJ Castillo jumper at the 5:48 mark.

The Generals had ample help from their reserves. MJ Raymundo had 10 points and seven rebounds while Ochavo and Joseph Nunag turned in nine markers apiece.

Letran remained as the pool’s top seed despite the loss that sent them to 8-4. Jimboy Estrada and Aaron Buensalida had 15 points each in the defeat.

EAC 78 – Shanoda 16, Bagay 12, M. Raymundo 10, Ochavo 9, Nunag 9, Oftana 8, Castillo 8, H. Raymundo 4, Coronel 2, Bonus 0, Lanceta 0, Sealey 0

CSJL 71 – Estrada 15, Buensalida 15, Cargo 9, Manalili 8, Walker 7, Gammad 7, Santos 6, Hugo 2, Reyes 2, Montecillo 0

Quarter scores: 21-17, 45-37, 63-51, 78-71