Emilio Aguinaldo College avenged its season-opening loss to De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde-La Salle Green Hills with a 98–97 victory in their second meeting in the NCAA Season 101 juniors basketball tournament on Friday at the Filoil Centre.
With the win, EAC closed the group phase on a three-game winning streak and secured the top spot in Group B with a 10–3 record, while last year’s finalist Benilde-LSGH slipped to 7–6 at No. 3.
The Brigadiers trailed 52–50 at halftime before unleashing a 28–18 run in the third period to take a 78–70 lead heading into the final frame.
EAC continued to pound Benilde-LSGH and eventually led by 10, 97–90, with 1:18 left. Jaime Hizon drilled a triple to bring Benilde-LSGH within four with 1:02 remaining, but a split at the line from Johari Domingo after a Camillo Jugo foul kept the Greenies at bay.
Hizon scored again to cut the deficit to three with 11 seconds left, but the Brigadiers held off the Mandaluyong-based squad in the closing moments as Allexi Gacrama missed a potential game-tying three. Patrick Pasinos recovered the loose ball, but it was too late for the Greenies.
Kelly Coronel registered a double-double of 26 points and 14 assists, along with three blocks and two steals, while Xyriel Macahipay tallied his own double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds, plus an assist and a block. Domingo added 16 points.
Pasinos led Benilde-LSGH with 23 points, while Hizon chipped in 19. Josef Calo-oy contributed 18 in the loss.
EAC now awaits the winner of the play-in match between San Sebastian College–Recoletos and Lyceum of the Philippines University, while Benilde-LSGH will face twice-to-beat Arellano University in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
