Emilio Aguinaldo College and Jose Rizal University dismantled their respective foes yesterday in the penultimate eliminations playdate of NCAA juniors basketball at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Brigadiers beat the San Sebastian Staglets in overtime, 81-74, while the Light Bombers whipped the Letran Squires, 61-54, to pick up their respective second straight wins with one assignment left in the season.
Benedict Buno led JRU with 17 points, while Toby Agustin scored a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds for the team’s fourth victory against 13 losses.
Trailing 39-37 after three quarters, the Light Bombers unloaded 24 points in the payoff period – 12 coming from Buno – to turn back the Squires.
Keifer Cordero scored 10 points, while Miguel Villanueva hauled 15 rebounds as Letran fell to 6-11.
Meanwhile, Maui Cruz exploded with 32 points, nine rebounds and four assists for EAC, which hiked its win-loss tally to 3-13.
Kerby Dulatre had 16 points, while Angelo Beduria chipped in 12.
San Sebastian remained at the cellar with 2-14 despite Daniel Rodriguez and Bryan Pelias firing 19 and 18 points, and Jerico Isidro finishing with 10 points and 18 rebounds.
San Sebastian will face JRU in the final elims playdate on Thursday, while EAC tackles Mapua.