San Sebastian College-Recoletos survived a gallant stand from cellar team Emilio Aguinaldo College, 62-59, to pick up its eighth win in NCAA Season 98 on Sunday.
Ichie Altamirano posted 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists to lead the Stags while Romel Calahat and Ameer Aguilar added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
San Sebastian booked back-to-back wins to improve to 8-9 while EAC dropped to 2-15 with only a game left in its schedule.
With Altamirano dropping 14 points, including four three-pointers, in the first half, the Stags were able to build a 39-32 halftime lead.
Altamirano’s two free throws made it a 51-37 spread for San Sebastian early in the third. But a triple from EAC forward Ruzzelle Dominguez allowed the Generals to close back in to a nine-point deficit at the end of the frame, 53-44.
EAC's Art Cosa fueled a personal 6-0 run in the fourth that brought the hosts to within two, 57-55, in the final 4:43 of action.
Joshua Tolentino then went for a wild layup to make it a 59-57 affair before Jessie Sumoda’s putback again saw the Stags hold a four-point cushion with 1:33 left.
Nat Cosejo gave EAC a glimmer of hope, 61-59, but a huge defensive stop from Altamirano on Cosejo on the next possession proved crucial.
Altamarino had a chance to seal the game on an EAC unsportsmanlike foul but missed both of his free throws. Sumoda then split from the line to make it 62-59 with seconds to go and the Generals were unable to hit a long heave at the end.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
