EJ Castillo dazzled with his season-best output to lift Emilio Aguinaldo College to a 76-73 victory over the previously streaking San Sebastian College-Recoletos in the NCAA Season 100 juniors basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The 6-foot guard dropped 28 points while also grabbing nine rebounds, three steals, and one block to help the Brigadiers regain their winning ways and improve to 4-2 following a streak-ending loss to Colegio de San Juan de Letran last Monday.
Castillo went off early, erupting for 13 points in the first half that enabled EAC to take a slim 42-38 halftime lead.
The senior guard refused to slow down, burying a three-pointer that sent EAC to a 61-53 cushion late in the third while a pair of free throws from him saw them taking a 63-54 lead before the fourth.
San Sebastian mounted a fightback with Harry Herrera's triple cutting the Staglets' deficit to two, 68-70, with still 4:07 to go in the game. Carlo Ynot would knock down a jumper while Sanlea Peñaverde sank three consecutive freebies to make it a three-point ballgame at 73-76 in the final 11 ticks.
But their comeback attempt came up just short as Castillo and the Brigadiers escaped to claim solo second so far.
The loss spoiled another big game from Peñaverde, who posted a double-double outing of 24 points and 11 rebounds laced with three assists and four steals while Jhon Melano chipped in 19 markers, eight boards, and one dime.
Scores:
EAC 76 – EJ Castillo 28, Cuajao 14, Coronel 9, Luna 7, Lanceta 6, Bonus 4, Canonigo 4, Tecson 4, Iraham 0, Taganas 0, Razo 0, A. Bautista 0, Asay 0, Lumbo 0.
San Sebastian 73 – Peñaverde 24, Melano 19, Rosales 8, Herrera 5, Jimenez 4, Ynot 3, Marasigan 3, Victoria 3, Apostol 2, Candare 2, J. Bautista 0, Hadji Casan 0, Rodriguez 0,
Quarters: 18-18, 42-38, 63-54, 76-73.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
