EMILIO Aguinaldo College (EAC) rallied from 12 points down to beat San Sebastian College, 63-60, to keep its hopes for an outright passage to the Final Four alive on Wednesday in the National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball tournament at the La Salle Greenhills Gym.
Ralph Robin scattered 15 of his season-high 27 points in the payoff period to go with three assists and two rebounds for the Generals who improved to 3-3 won-lost. San Sebastian lost for the fourth time in six games.
Trailing 33-45 in the third quarter, EAC rallied behind Robin, whose three-pointer put them ahead, 52-51, with 4:39 remaining.
The Stags last led, 56-53, when Robin hit back-to-back trys that shoved the Generals ahead, 59-56, with 1:11 remaining.
EAC put the clamps on San Sebastian in the final seven minutes of play to preserve the win.
“I told the boys to play tough on defense,” said coach Oliver Bunyi whose Generals couldn’t close games that resulted to three losses.
“Credit that to the players, they were composed,” he said. “Basically, the players have matured.”
Robin, who fired seven triples, was happy that the Generals were able to pull through this time.
“Coach told me not to hesitate with my shots,” Robin said. “To keep taking those shots.”
EAC will take a two-day Lenten break to recharge before resuming training on Black Saturday as it prepares for its game against defending champion Letran on Wednesday.
JP Maguliano had 14 points and seven rebounds while Nat Cosejo added 10 points, 14 boards, two assists and two blocks for the Generals.
Ken Villapando led the Stags with 16 points, while Ichie Altamirano, coming off a one-game suspension, added nine points before leaving at the 7:06 mark due to injury.