The EAC Generals stormed back from a 19-point second-half deficit to stun the Benilde Blazers, 86-78, and snap the the latter’s four-game winning streak in the NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Coming off back-to-back losses to the Mapúa Cardinals and JRU Heavy Bombers, the Generals ended their two-game skid to improve to 3-5. Benilde, on the other hand, dropped to 6-2 and missed a chance to claim sole possession of the Group A lead.
Joseph Nunag led the remarkable comeback with 17 points and five rebounds off the bench, while Wilmar Oftana added 15 points and three rebounds. Jacob Shanoda and EJ Castillo chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively.
“Down kami sa standings, 2-5 kami [entering the game] kaya kailangan talaga naming manalo. ‘Di naman porket best player ako para manalo lang. Kumbaga, collective effort kaming lahat,” said Nunag. “‘Yung sistema ni coach, sinunod lang namin ‘yung adjustment sa third quarter at nakapag-adjust kami.”
EAC Rallies From 19 Down to a Stunning Win
Benilde dominated the first half, with SJ Moore draining a three-pointer to stretch the lead to 19, 54-35, the Blazers’ biggest advantage of the game. EAC quickly erased that deficit, launching its comeback in the third quarter. Shanoda converted a reverse layup to pull the Generals within three, 61-58, and Castillo answered a Benilde push with a fastbreak layup to keep EAC in striking distance, 71-68.
The Generals finally took control in the fourth, scoring five unanswered points capped by Oftana’s three-pointer, which gave them their first lead since the opening minutes, 75-73. Nunag and Oftana then delivered timely baskets inside to stretch the lead to six, 81-75, with more than four minutes left.
Benilde refused to go down without a fight. John Morales knocked down a three-pointer to cut the deficit to three, 81-78. But EAC came up with crucial defensive stops before Nunag sank a turnaround jumper to restore a five-point cushion, 83-78, with 1:53 remaining. MJ Raymundo then completed an and-one play to push the lead to eight, 86-78, with 45.9 seconds left, putting the finishing touches on the comeback.
“Siyempre, important sa amin na tulungan ang bawat isa, especially nag-step up si Nunag offensively and defensively [pero] kailangan lahat eh kasi we are not that strong katulad ng mga nasa top teams na overloaded with talent,” said EAC coach Jerson Cabiltes. “Ang ruling kasi namin, kahit na six seconds or five seconds ka lang ginamit, just do your own and support your teammates.”
Sanchez and Morales led the Blazers with 16 points apiece, while Jhomel Ancheta posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists.
Next Up for Generals and Blazers
EAC will look to carry momentum from this superb rally on Monday, October 19, when they face the San Beda Red Lions. Benilde, on the other hand, will be back in action on Tuesday, October 20, in a marquee matchup with the Letran Knights. Both games will take place at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
