Emilio Aguinaldo College proved to be the thorn on the side of De La Salle-College of Saint after pulling off a 77-69 victory on Wednesday to close out its NCAA Season 99 campaign.
The Generals will exit the tournament with an impressive 9-9 card while the Blazers slipped to 11-7.
After a tight affair in the first three quarters, EAC found some separation in the pivotal fourth frame after the graduatung Nat Cosejo unleashed back-to-back triples followed by a long bomb ftom King Gurtiza to give the Generals a much-needed 68-51 lead.
The Blazers, who were eyeing to seal their Final Four spot, answered with a 9-2 barrage to trim the deficit to 10, 70-60, with under three minutes left in the game.
Will Gozum, who was scoreless in the first half, rallied the Blazers late but his efforts went for naught as the Generals completed their elimination round sweep of Benilde.
Rookie Kyle Ochavo stole the leather from Joshua Cajucom before dishing out the final dime to other graduating big man JP Maguliano to put the dagger.
Cosejo erupted for a 26-point outing on perfect 3-of-3 shooting from downtown alongside 10 rebounds, three steals, and one steal while Maguliano also churned out a double-double of 12 markers and 10 boards laced with three dimes to finish their collegiate career.
Miggy Corteza paced the Blazers with 19 points, two rebounds while Mark Sangco flirted with a double-double of 12 markers and nine boards.
Scores:
EAC 77- Cosejo 26, Maguliano 12, Gurtiza 9, Angeles 9, Robin 6, Luciano 5, Umpad 3, Cosa 3, Ochavo 2, Bacud 2, Tolentino 0, Quinal 0, Doria 0.
Benilde 69- Corteza 19, Sangco 12, Nayve 10, Gozum 10, Cajucom 8, Carlos 4, Oczon 2, Marcos 2, Turco 2, Arciaga 0, Mara 0, Jarque 0, Morales 0.
Quarterscores: 21-16; 28-33; 52-49; 77-69.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
