MANILA – Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals leaned on their strong start to defeat San Sebastian College Golden Stags, 97-86, in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Harvey Pagsanjan made his presence felt with 20 points, to go with three rebounds, two assists, one steal, and a block as the Generals finished the first round with their fourth win in nine games.
King Gurtiza contributed 14 markers, six assists, and three rebounds; Pedro Bagay tallied 13 markers; and Wilmar Oftana ended with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds for EAC.
Generals head coach Jerson Cabiltes said he reminded the team to be cautious against the slumping Golden Stags, which he said can wax hot offensively anytime.
“Ang pinoint out ko sa players is that San Sebastian is a dangerous team; watching their previous games, they can explode offensively, especially in the second half,” Cabiltes said.
“We had a good start in the first half, so I just reminded the players in the second half to maintain the lead. We want to play fast to draw fouls from the opponents; we just get our rhythm from there,” he added.
The Generals were quick to impose its offense, building 54-41 halftime lead that they turned into a massive 70-49 cushion in the third behind three straight baskets from Pagsanjan and several key baskets from Kyle Jacob.
But the Stags mounted a big fourth quarter behind the hot shooting of Raymart Escobido, who fired four triples in the payoff period, but the Generals had every answer to the Stags.
Tristan Felebrico had a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds, Escobido added 19 markers, while Ameer Aguilar and Reggs Gabat had 13 and 10, respectively, as the Golden Stags dropped to 2-7./PN
BOX SCORE:
EAC 97 – Pagsanjan 20, Gurtiza 14, Bagay 13, Oftana 10, Ochavo 9, Quinal 8, Luciano 7, Jacob 6, Bacud 5, Loristo 3, Lucero 2, Doromal 0, Manacho 0, Devera 0, Angeles 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 86 – Felebrico 21, Escobido 19, Aguilar 13, R. Gabat 10, Are 7, Barroga 4, Maliwat 3, L. Gabat 3, Ramilo 3, Cruz 2, Linton 1, Pascual 0, Velasco 0, Ricio 0, Chuidian 0.
Quarterscores: 30-17, 54-41, 76-58, 97-86.
