Controversial finish gives EAC close win over JRU

EAC’s Sidney Onwubere. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Emilio Aguinaldo College escaped Jose Rizal U, 63-60, Tuesday in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan, but not without any incident.

The referees called a foul on Tey Teodoro’s game-tying three-pointer as he was clipped from the back by Jorem Morada at the buzzer. But upon further review, the officials waved off the call and gave the Generals the victory as Heavy Bombers team captain Jordan dela Paz put the game under protest.

Still, the win will count for EAC as it snapped its three-game losing skid and rose to a 4-9 record.

The Heavy Bombers, meanwhile, ended a four-game winning run for a 7-6 card.

“We’re thankful na yung mga malakas na kalaban namin noong una, nagbigay sa amin ng magandang experience para kayanin yung game na ito. At least yung character namin, nadedevelop na,” said coach Ariel Sison. “I’m thankful na nanalo kami ngayon.”

Sidney Onwubere paced the Generals with 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Hamadou Laminou got 19 markers, 10 boards, and four blocks, including the go-ahead freebies in the final 38.1 seconds to push EAC up, 62-60.

The Generals lost hold of a 34-19 halftime lead before scraping past the Heavy Bombers down the stretch,

“Sinabihan ko lang sila na mag-relax lang. Di namin pwede apurahin yung game and slowly, we have to make baskets,” said Sison.

MJ dela Virgen topped JRU with 12 points and five rebounds.

The Scores:

EAC 63 – Onwubere 26, Laminou 19, Munsayac 6, Morada 4, Guzman 3, Neri 3, Corilla 2, Diego 0, King 0, Mendoza 0, Pascua 0.
JRU 60 – Dela Virgen 12, Cruz 8, Teodoro 8, Abdulwahab 6, Poutouochi 6, Grospe 6, Dela Paz 4, Mendoza 4, Pontejos 4, Lasquety 2, Dada 0.

Quarters: 14-8, 34-19, 43-41, 63-60.