NCAA: EAC outlasts Perpetual Help for overtime win

MANILA — Emilio Aguinaldo College scored a 92-89 overtime victory in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament on Friday, a result that lifted them to second place in their group.

The Altas entered the game with momentum after snapping a six-game losing streak but lost steam down the stretch against the Generals.

EAC improved to 5-6, tying Arellano for second place in Group B.

“‘Yon lagi problema namin, how to finish games, at nagshow up na naman,” coach Jerson Cabiltes said. “I was so frustrated, buti nag-step up sila sa overtime.”

EAC held a four-point lead in the last two minutes of the game, 83-79, before two free throws from Mark Gojo Cruz and a last-second shot from Jim Corpuz ultimately sent the game to overtime at 83-all.

The Generals dominated the extra period, however. EJ Castillo accounted for five points in a 7-3 EAC run that put them ahead, 90-86, with 2:08 to play. 

Gojo Cruz converted on a three-point play for Perpetual in the waning moments of the game but a flawless trip to the free throw line from Jude Bagay  iced the game for EAC, 92-89, with 11.4 seconds remaining.

The Altas had 3.2 seconds to map out a game-tying triple but Juan Tulabut’s heave missed at the buzzer, sending the squad to a lowly 3-8 record.

Jude Bagay top scored for the Generals with 26 points while Kyle Ochavo turned in 14. Castillo finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. 

Gelo Gelsano and Gojo Cruz had 21 points a piece in the Altas. Corpuz also scored 20 in the defeat.

The scores:

EAC 92 – Bagay 26, Castillo 15, Ochavo 14, Nunag 13, Oftana 13, H. Raymundo 6, M. Raymundo 5, Shanoda 0, Sealey 0, Mundas 0, Baniqued 0, Bonus 0, Coronel 0

UPHSD 89 – Gelsano 21, Gojo Cruz 21, Corpuz 20, Tulabut 9, Borja 8, Casinillo 5, Roluna 3, Duremdes 2, Maglupay 0, Orgo 0, Montemayor 0, Cauguiran 0, Cristino 0

Quarter scores: 27-27, 47-49, 74-67, 83-83, 92-89