EAC scores first-ever victory against San Beda in dominant fashion
Photo source: NCAA Media Team
The Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals scored a significant victory for their basketball program by defeating the San Beda Red Lions for the first time since their entry to the NCAA in 2009. With the Red Lions establishing themselves as the standard of excellence in NCAA basketball in the last two decades, this win for EAC marks a monumental moment in their history and road to possible contention under new head coach Jerson Cabiltes.
NCAA statistician Pong Ducanes confirmed this historical feat on his X account and added that EAC also ended a 27-game losing skid to the Red Lions. The Generals led by as much as 29, 58-29, in a wire-to-wire victory. San Beda entered the contest as a -8.5 favorite in some local betting website but looked like the inferior squad from the early goings as EAC raced off to an early lead they never relinquished. The only time the Red Lions were on top was when the score read 2-0.
Former UE Red Warrior Harvey Pagsanjan propelled EAC with 14 points and 7 rebounds. The Generals didn’t shoot particularly well – just 32% from the field – but their defense limited the reigning champions to 26.7% FG shooting and 17 turnovers which yielded a 10-point advantage in points off turnovers, 15-5.
San Beda came out flat and a step behind EAC in terms of energy. The Generals quickly took advantage and scored a memorable triumph for their archives.
Scoring breakdown, courtesy of the NCAA Media Team:
The scores:
EAC 68 – Pagsanjan 14, Luciano 13, Gurtiza 9, Oftana 9, Doromal 6, Quinal 5, Ochavo 4, Bagay 4, Lucero 2, Loristo 2, Umpad 0, Angeles 0, Bacud 0
SAN BEDA 55 – Andrada 12, Puno 9, Tagle 7, Royo 5, Payosing 3, Estacio 3, Songcuya 3, Richi Calimag 3, Celzo 3, Sajonia 3, RC Calimag 3, Gonzales 1, Jalbuena 0, Tagala 0
Quarter scores: 21-14, 36-23, 63-35, 68-55
