It was another explosive outing for Emilio Aguinaldo College's King Gurtiza as the Generals defeated the Arellano Chiefs, 77-64, on Saturday.
Gurtiza scored 23 points to tie his previous career-high which he notched back in October when they played Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
However, it was a different story for Gurtiza in their recent games.
After posting an average of 13.44 points and becoming EAC's top scorer by the end of the first round, Gurtiza found himself in a slump as he averaged only 5.8 points in their first five games in the second round.
For Gurtiza, regaining his shooting touch came just in time as the NCAA Season 99 Final Four race gets tougher.
The Generals are now at the sixth spot in the standings with an 8-7 win-loss card behind San Beda University (8-5) and Jose Rizal University (8-6).
"Sobrang importante ng laro na 'to kasi going into the Final Four, kailangan namin ng winning games talaga. 'Yung susunod na games namin, kailangan talaga naming manalo," Gurtiza said.
(This game is important for us because going into the Final Four, we really need wins. Our next games are must-win games.)
In their win against Arellano, Gurtiza handed his squad the biggest lead of the game, 68-48, before he knocked some more shots en route to the General's victory.
"Para sa akin, si Lord lahat gumawa no'n," he said. "Kailangan namin 'to kasi sobrang importante ng panalo kaya kailangan simula pa lang go hard na."
(It was the Lord who made it happen. We need this because it is very important so we need to go hard right from the start.)
EAC head coach Jerson Cabiltes, meanwhile, admitted that Gurtiza became a target for other teams so it was a challenge for his key player to adjust.
"For the past few games, he's been missing his shots, medyo minimal din 'yung contribution niya sa team," Cabiltes said. "Kasi sa second round, isa na siya sa ine-emphasize ng teams sa scouting reports so kailangan gawan pa rin niya ng paraan how to adjust to it na siya ang primary na dinedepensahan sa kalaban."
(For the past few games, he's been missing his shots, his contribution was somehow minimal. In the second round, he was emphasized in the scouting reports so he needs to find ways to adjust to it because the opponent's defense is on him.)
For now, the target is clear for Gurtiza.
"Ngayon parang pantay-pantay talaga. Lahat talaga nandun sa race so kailangan namin maging composed para matapos ang season na 'to nang maganda and makuha ang minimithi na first Final Four appearance namin," he said.
(It's somehow we're all at the same level. Almost all teams are still competing in the race so we need to be composed so we can end the season on a high note and get our first Final Four appearance.)
EAC's next three assignments will include JRU, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
