NCAA: Calimag, Torculas lead San Beda’s escape of gritty EAC

San Beda University’s RC Calimag against Emilio Aguinaldo College in NCAA Season 102. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.MANILA — RC Calimag and Aldous Torculas stepped up as San Beda University escaped a gritty Emilio Aguinaldo College side, 89-86, in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball on Monday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.

Faced with a one-point deficit in crunch time, Calimag came up with a crucial steal before sealing the game by going 4-of-4 from the free-throw line in the final seven seconds after being fouled by EJ Castillo.

The Generals still had 4.3 seconds left to force overtime, but MJ Raymundo missed a stepback three-pointer at the buzzer. 

Even then, Red Lions head coach Yuri Escueta could only admire EAC’s effort after the Generals pushed San Beda to the brink.

“In the fourth, EAC played harder, and our guards went down,” said Escueta, as San Beda squandered multiple double-digit leads in the final period. “So sinabi ko sa players ko na it doesn’t matter who’s on our team, kahit na 5-star recruit yan, ‘pag yan nakalaban ng Bisaya na tiga-EAC, hindi aatrasan ng mga tiga-EAC yan.”

Calimag finished with 11 points and three assists, providing support for Torculas, who posted 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two vital triples in the fourth quarter.

Also solid was JC Bonzalida, who tallied 12 points and eight rebounds to help San Beda notch its sixth win in nine games.

On the other hand, Castillo led EAC with 19 points before committing the foul that sent Calimag to the free-throw line, while Raymundo added 17 points in the Generals’ sixth loss in nine outings.

San Beda 89 — Torculas 19, Bonzalida 12, Calimag 11, Reyes 11, Etulle 9, Marcelo 7, Lina 7, Hawkins 4, Jamora 3, Puno 3, Dabao 3, Jalbuena 0, Sarigumba 0.

EAC 86 — Castillo 19, M. Raymundo 17, Nunag 12, Bagay 9, Ochavo 7, H. Raymundo 6, Shanoda 5, Coronel 5, Oftana 4, Bonus 2, Sealey 0, Luna 0, Namoro 0.

Quarterscores: 26-26, 44-44, 73-67, 89-86.