EAC holds off JRU in NCAA nail-biter

c/o NCAA

Emilio Aguinaldo College made sure to not fall into the same trap as Letran did, escaping as 68-65 winners against Jose Rizal University in the NCAA Season 101 men's basketball tournament action in San Juan on Tuesday afternoon.

After Shawn Argente converted a triple to tie the game at 65-all with 2:49 left, Nico Quinal responded with his own triple with 94 seconds to go to restore the advantage.

The Heavy Bombers would have a chance to force overtime, but both Argente and Justin Lozano missed their attempts from deep, ensuring the Generals hold on.

Quinal would finish with ten points, five rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Wilmar Oftana led EAC with thirteen points, while Oman Omandac also added ten markers.

Jerson Cabiltes noted the magnitude of this early matchup, saying, "I reminded the boys that if we lost this game, it’ll be hard for us to reach our short term goal, which is to be in the Top 2 of out bracket."

Argente fired a game-high 27 points, with Sean Salvador tacking on eleven and Lozano netting ten markers in the defeat. 

The win puts both teams at 1-1.

EAC-ICA also won their juniors matchup against JRU, earning a 60-51 victory.

Both teams will be playing at the Mall of Asia Arena next, with the Heavy Bombers tangling with San Beda on Friday, while the Generals get the Knights on Saturday. 

The scores:

EAC 68 – Oftana 13, Omandac 10, Quinal 10, Castillo 9, Doria 8, Shanoda 6, Bagay 4, Ochavo 3, Lucero 3, Villarente 2, Loristo 0, Tolentino 0, Angeles 0, Bacud 0, Jacob 0

JRU 65 – Argente 27, Salvador 11, Lozano 10, Panapanaan 4, Peñaverde 3, Garupil 3, Herrera 2, Laurenaria 2, Sarmiento 2, Benitez 1, Duque 0

Quarter scores: 20-14, 33-34, 48-50, 68-65

EAC 60 – Coronel 16, Allam 10, Bonus 10, Taganas 6, Domingo 6, Lanceta 3, Castro 3, Dela Cruz 2, Bercasio 2, Castillo 2, Auditor 0, Cesar 0, Lucero 0, Francisco 0

JRU 51 – Sapatram 15, Loque 12, Ruedas 10, Roales 6, Laxamana 4, Caspe 2, Ong 1, Taparan 1, Callueng 0, Tailan 0, Estocapio 0, Lumaking 0, Palles 0

Quarter scores: 14-9, 32-26, 48-35, 60-51