Not today, said the Generals.
Emilio Aguinaldo College pulled off a huge upset, stunning league-leading and erstwhile undefeated Lyceum of the Philippines University in overtime, 83-76, in NCAA Season 99 on Wednesday.
King Gurtiza and Nat Cosejo opened the extra period with back-to-back three-pointers for a crucial 80-74 lead before the former came up with a couple of defensive stops.
Ralph Robin then knocked down a corner jumper, 82-76, in the final 21 seconds before Mclaude Guadaña turned the ball over and JP Maguliano split his free throws to seal the upset win.
EAC, who was coming off back-to-back losses, improved to 3-2. Lyceum, who was missing the services of big man Shawn Umali, absorbed its first loss for a 6-1 card.
Gurtiza sizzled with an all-around performance of 18 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and two assists while Cosejo chimed in with 14 markers, seven boards, two dimes, and two blocks.
The Generals were quick to make adjustments, unleashing a wild 18-1 run in the first half to take a 28-18 lead. The Pirates, however, did enough to neutralize EAC and end the half trailing by just four, 33-37, as Gurtiza and Nicole Quinal powered the Generals’ offense.
EAC, though, continued its onslaught in the third.
Behind back-to-back baskets from Maguliano and JC Luciano, the Generals were able to reestablish a 10-point cushion before they headed to the fourth enjoying a 62-53 advantage.
Guadaña’s triple cut the deficit to three, 66-69, but Gurtiza fired a long bomb of his own for a 72-66 affair.
JM Bravo then completed a three-point play chance before his one-handed jumper tied things up at 72-all.
With the game knotted again at 74-all, Gurtiza and Greg Cunanan had the chance to win it for their respective teams but both missed out as the game went into overtime.
Bravo paced Lyceum with 18 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and one block while Guadaña chipped in 13 markers, four boards, and two assists.
Scores:
EAC 83- Gurtiza 18, Cosejo 14, Robin 13, Quinal 11, Maguliano 8, Luciano 6, Cosa 5, Ochavo 2, Bacud 2, Tolentino 2, Umpad 2, Angeles 0, Balowa 0.
LPU 76- Bravo 18, Guadana 13, Valdez 12, Barba 11, Cunanan 10, Aviles 4, Verzosa 3, Montano 2, Penafiel 2, Omandac 1, Villegas 0.
Quarterscores: 18-17; 37-33; 62-53; 74-74 (OT); 83-76.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
