
By Ricky Manliguis
SAN JUAN -- Emilio Aguinaldo College waxed hot in the last three minutes as it defused Jose Rizal U, 88-84, to climb into fourth place in the NCAA Season 93 seniors’ basketball competition at the FilOil Flying V Centre Tuesday.
The Generals had to overcome a 57-61 third-quarter deficit with Jerome Garcia and Jeric Diego conniving for 18 of the team’s 31 fourth quarter points enough to post back-to-back wins and improve to an even 6-6 card.
Down by seven, Garcia and Diego combined for 10 points in a 12-4 salvo to take the lead 81-80 in the last two minutes.
Sidney Onwubere then fired a back-breaking triple for 84-80 with 57 ticks to go. After JRU pulled to within 84-86 with less than 20 seconds left, Garcia iced the game with two charities.
Onwubere issued another monster performance for EAC with a game-high 28 points and eight rebounds. Garcia continued his brilliant form as of late with 16 along with four rebounds and three assists, while Philip Tampoc and Diego finished with 11 apiece.
Despite the setback, the Bombers still stayed in third place with a 7-6 record. Jed Mendoza finished with a near double-double of 22 markers and nine rebounds.
Teytey Teodoro got 18 points but committed a third of JRU’s 18 turnovers.
The Scores
EAC 88 -- Onwubere 28, Garcia 16, Diego 11, Tampoc 11, Munsayac 9, Mendoza I 7, Bugarin 2, Guzman 2, Pascua 2, Corilla 0, Mendoza J 0, Neri 0
JRU 84 -- Mendoza 22, Teodoro 18, Grospe 15, Bordon 12, Poutouochi 6, Abdul Razak 4, Dela Virgen 3, Lasquety 2, Sawat 2, David 0
Quarter scores: 24-22, 36-39, 57-61, 88-84
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