By MARK REY MONTEJO
Veteran JP Maguliano canned three crucial free throws down the stretch and helped power Emilio Aguinaldo College to a pulsating 78-76 win over College of
St. Benilde in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament on Friday, Oct. 20, at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.
In one of his best games so far, Maguliano scattered 17 points – his three free gift shots were huge enough to repel CSB’s last-ditch comeback. He also had 12 baords.
It was a disappointing finish for the Blazers who appeared headed to their fifth win after taking a 57-53 lead going into the final 10 minutes of play.
The Generals, however, opened the payoff period with a 12-2 run highlighted by a triple each from Maguliano, Ralph Robin and Nat Cosejo to grab a 65-59 lead.
The Blazers refused to give up the fight as they gallantly clawed their way back to the top, 73-71, on Mark Sangco’s triple.
But it proved to be CSB’s last hurrah as EAC regained the lead, 74-73, on Kyle Ochavo layup, 74-73.
Benilde’s bid to turn the game around evaporated into thin air when Prince Carlos was called for traveling violation and Miguel Oczon’s pass was deflected that paved the way for Cosejo’s easy basket, 76-73.
The Generals then wisely protected their lead to improve their record to 5-4 while the Blazers slipped to an even 4-4 mark.
Maguliano’s heroics negated Robi Nayve’s 23-point performance.
The scores:
First Game
EAC 78- Maguliano 17, Robin 16, Cosejo 12, Gurtiza 10, Ochavo 9, Tolentino 4, Ednilag 4, Angeles 3, Bacud 2, Quinal 1, Loristo 0, Cosa 0, Umpad 0, Luciano 0.
CSB 76- Nayve 23, Corteza 15, Gozum 14, Sangco 8, Arciaga 6, Carlos 3, Oczon 3, Marasigan 2, Cajucom 1, Marcos 1, Turco 0, Jalalon 0, Jarque 0.
Quarters: 19-18; 35-39; 53-57; 78-76.
