In five games so far, Emilio Aguinaldo College had beaten three powerhouse teams en route to an impressive 3-2 start in the NCAA Season 99.
The latest casualty of the Generals is the Lyceum of the Philippines University, who was undefeated in six games prior to their encounter on Wednesday. Before that, they have also outshone Perpetual and defending champion Letran.
EAC, though, needed five more minutes to pull off the stunner against the Pirates with King Gurtiza and Nat Cosejo taking over on both ends.
Head coach Jerson Cabiltes, however, stressed it is not about breaking records or stopping streak.
For him, the only record they want to set is bringing EAC to its first Final Four appearance.
“I’m not here to break any records or any winning streak or anything. Isa lang ang streak na tinitignan ko—making it to the Final Four,” Cabiltes said on the heels of their 83-76 OT escape against the Pirates.
“I’m hoping that they will work hard in order to get there.”
(I’m not here to break any records or any winning streak or anything. I only look at one streak—making it to the Final Four.)
Cabiltes was proud with the way they ended the game as their last two finishes proved costly as they fell to Jose Rizal University and Mapua University.
Good thing, though, the Generals had a better finish against Lyceum despite the game reaching overtime.
Gurtiza took over with an all-around outing of 18 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and two assists while Cosejo provided the lift with 14 markers, seven boards, and two dimes.
“Every game our character is being tested. ‘Yung last two games namin, we didn’t finish well, especially our last game against Mapua,” Cabiltes added.
“Right after that sinabi ko lang sa players ko na during those crucial moments dapat buo ‘yung loob natin.”
(Every game, our character is being tested. In our last two games, we didn't finish well, especially our last game against Mapua. Right after, I told our players during those crucial moments that we should be confident.)
The rookie tactician also lauded the performance of Gurtiza.
“King is an all-around player. He’s aggressive on offense, but the good thing is he’s crashing the boards and he’s playing defense,” he said.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
