EMILIO Aguinaldo College (EAC) made crucial stops in endgame to shackle Jose Rizal University (JRU), 88-84, in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 93 men’s tournament on Tuesday at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.
The Bombers were still on top, 57-61, entering the final frame before the Generals stormed to a 31-22 turnaround in the final 10 minutes to occupy the solo fourth place with a 6-6 won-loss record.
Most Valuable Player candidate Sidney Onwubere scored seven of his game-high 28 points in the fourth period, nothing bigger than his three-point dagger with less than a minute to play that put EAC ahead, 84-80.
“I really prayed to God and wished that we close the gap in the fourth quarter,” Onwubere said. “From then, it’s all up to us.”
Onwubere’s heroics came as compliment to the Generals’ swarming defense that forced the Bombers to five turnovers that were converted to 12 points in the last period.
The 6-foot-3 forward started the game with 10 quick points to keep EAC afloat in first period.
JRU’s Jed Mendoza scored 19 points in the second half and conspired with Teytey Teodoro and Ervin Grospe to maintain their fighting stance against the strong-willed EAC.
It all boiled down to the Bombers’ crucial errors in the waning moments and the resiliency of Onwubere in the pivotal stretch that turned the tables around.
Jerome Garcia added 16 markers for the Generals which are looking to make their way to the Final Four halfway through the second round.
Mendoza tallied 22 points and nine rebounds for JRU, while Teodoro and Grospe finished with 18 and 15 markers, respectively. JRU fell to 7-5 but it kept solo third place behind runaway leaders Lyceum (12-0) and San Beda (11-1).
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza