OVERTIME WIN. King Gurtiza of Emilio Aguinaldo College (No. 3) tries to elude a defender in this game against Lyceum of the Philippines University in the NCAA Season 99 men's basketball at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City on Wednesday (Oct. 11, 2023). The Generals won in overtime, 83-76. (NCAA photo)
MANILA – Emilio Aguinaldo College snapped Lyceum of the Philippines University's streak with an 83-76 overtime win in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 99 men's basketball at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City on Wednesday.
King Gurtiza scored 18 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and two assists as the Generals claimed their third win in six outings to bolster their Final Four bid.
Nat Cosejo added 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks while Ralph Robin and Nicole Quinal chipped in 13 and 11 points, respectively.
The Pirates had a chance to avert a loss and extend their streak to seven after climbing back from a 62-53 deficit after the third canto of regulation and even leading, 74-72, with a little over a minute to go on a Vince Cunanan layup.
It wasn’t to be though as Gurtiza knotted it at 74 with 36 ticks left that sent the game to extra time where EAC just completely took control.
John Bravo finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and two steals for the Pirates. Mclaude Guadana contributed 13 points, Enoch Valdez had 12 points and John Barba made 11 points.
In the second game, Clint Escamis unleashed a defensive masterpiece as he powered Mapua to a 77-71 win over Letran and into solo second spot with 5-1 win-loss record.
Escamis swiped a career and season-high eight blocks and capped it by doing almost everything even contributing 20 points that included two triples, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Knights dropped to their sixth straight defeat and into the worst start by a defending titlist in recent memory.
Marc Cuenco had 20 points and 10 boards while captain Warren Bonifacio chipped in 11 markers and eight caroms for Mapua.
It was another heartbreaker for Letran, which put up a fight only to lose its way in the end. (PNA)
