Nico Quinal posted a career-high 18 points to lead Emilio Aguinaldo College past Lyceum of the Philippines University, 84-75, on Saturday in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
The Generals held a slim 62-61 lead by the end of the third period before they opened the final frame with a 17-2 run to pull away, 79-63, with less than five minutes left. The Pirates tried to stop the bleeding as they made their own 6-0 run before Wilmar Oftana's basket handed EAC an 81-69 lead with 2:16 remaining.
It was enough for the Generals as Quinal added a triple to seal the victory despite the Pirates' late game efforts.
Aside from Quinal, Oman Omandac had 17 points as he went against his former team, while Kyle Ochavo had 10 assists and eight rebounds despite being held scoreless.
Renz Villegas had 18 points, while Joshua Moralejo, Ato Barba, and Jonathan Daileg chipped in 16 points apiece in the Pirates' loss.
EAC improved to 4-4, while LPU slipped to 1-6.
Scores:
EAC 84 - Quinal 18, Omandac 17, Lucero 14, Bagay 10, Oftana 7, Angeles 6, Shanoda 4, Loristo 4, Tolentino 2, Postanes 2, Ochavo 0, Jacob 0, Castillo, Doria 0, Bacud 0.
LPU 75 - Villegas 18, Barba 16, Daileg 16, Moralejo 16, Casiño 4, Peñafiel 2, Matienzo 2, Montaño 1, Aviles 0, Aurigue 0, Pallingayan 0, Paulo 0.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
