EAC’s Nat Cosejo during a game against College of St. Benilde in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament. NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Host Emilio Aguinaldo College pulled off the biggest upset of the season so far after stunning top seed College of St. Benilde, 80-75, for its first win in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at San Juan Arena.
The Generals finally broke through after dropping their first nine games and pinned the Blazers just their second defeat.
“I’m very, very happy. I just can’t express it because I always look mad but deep inside, I’m just really happy because these things, wins, are for them. Once they realize they have the potential, I can see that we will improve more,” coach Oliver Bunyi said in Filipino.
Nat Cosejo came up big for the Generals with a game-high 24 points, highlighted by a floater from the free throw line that put his team ahead, 78-75, with 48.7 seconds remaining. He also grabbed nine rebounds.
Cosejo’s clutch basket was part of a 10-2 finishing kick by EAC after trailing, 70-73, when Robi Nayve hit a triple.
Ralph Bajon scored 16 while Mac Balowa and Allen Liwag finished with 10 points apiece for the Generals.
Will Gozum paced St. Benilde (7-2) with 19 points and nine rebounds while Nayve and Jimboy Pasturan added 13 and 11 points, respectively.
The Scores:
EAC 80 — Cosejo 24, Bajon 16, Balowa 10, Liwag 10, Maguliano 6, Cosa 5, Dominguez 5, Ad. Doria 4, Quinal 0, Luciano 0, An. Doria 0, Tolentino 0.
CSB 75 — Gozum 19, Nayve 13, Pasturan 11, Corteza 8, Oczon 6, Sangco 6, Lim 6, Cullar 2, Carlos 2, Marcos 2, Flores 0, Mara 0, Lepalam 0, Davis 0.
Quarters: 19-18, 39-40, 57-59, 80-75.