Filoil: EAC outlasts Arellano in OT behind Oftana, Raymundo

Wilmar Oftana provided veteran presence while MJ Raymundo proved his worth as Emilio Aguinaldo College escaped Arellano University in overtime, 91-88, in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Tuesday.

Seasoned forward Oftana scored six of his total scoring output in the extra period before Raymundo, a transferee from Jose Rizal University, sank the dagger jumper to help the Generals kick off their campaign on a promising note.

Oftana top-scored with 19 points together with eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals while Raymundo posted 13 markers, seven boards, and three dimes off the bench.

EAC also got a huge game from Jacob Shanoda, who tallied 15 points and seven rebounds, while other holdovers Jude Bagay and EJ Castillo chipped in 11 and eight markers apiece.

Shanoda sank a pair of free throws that tied the game at 79-all late in regulation, but the Chiefs regained a two-point lead when AG Borromeo completed a layup.

But Castillo knocked down a jumper to force another deadlock and an overtime.

Oftana then sparked their overtime comeback by fueling an 8-2 run that gave EAC an 89-83 cushion in the final 1:49.

The Chiefs, though, turned to rookie Ray Ladica as the former Arellano high school standout buried a triple and then converted a layup to pull the Chiefs within one, 89-88.

But Raymundo fired a jumper off a pass from Jude Bagay to extend EAC's lead to three with seven seconds remaining.

Ladica, who was part of Arellano's juniors team that reached the finals of NCAA Season 101 against the eventual champions Letran Squires, starred in the loss with 20 points and seven rebounds.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News