Emilio Aguinaldo College passed its first test in the NCAA Season 100, but not without hiccups as it escaped Arellano University in overtime, 87-80, on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Generals, tagged as one of this year’s dark horse with a bevy of veterans in their roster, improved to 1-0 while the Chiefs fell to 0-1.
Taking over for EAC were team captain King Gurtiza and prized transferee Harvey Pagsanjan with the graduating skipper pouring 18 points while the former UE standout flirted with a double-double with 13 markers and nine boards in his NCAA debut.
The Chiefs staged a huge third quarter behind the efforts of big man Lorenz Capulong, whose back-to-back baskets gave Arellano its biggest lead at 70-65. However, the sophomore bruiser was called for a technical foul that resulted in his fifth foul with still 4:18 to go in the fourth.
That cost Arellano down the stretch with EAC burying two consecutive triples from Wilmar Oftana and Nicole Quinal for a 77-75 cushion with nine ticks left in regulation. King Vinoya, though, converted a late layup for the deadlock to force an overtime.
Gurtiza then took over in the extra period, nailing a three-pointer and a layup to an 82-79 lead before a turnaround jumper from Gelo Loristo and a pair of freebies from Axel Doromal sealed it for EAC.
Capulong finished with a huge double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds and two assists while team captain Basti Valencia posted 16 markers, five boards, and one dime.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
