Emilio Aguinaldo College held off a late Lyceum of the Philippines University rally, 89-79, on Friday, Oct. 2, for its second straight win in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.

The Generals improved to 2-3 after an 0-3 start, with their other victory coming against San Sebastian. The Pirates dropped to 1-4 and have lost four of five games under new head coach Jamike Jarin.

EAC Rides Second-Quarter Surge, Outlasts Lyceum Comeback

After trailing 26-20 following a sluggish first quarter, EAC opened the second on a 14-0 run. A Jinryl Baniqued triple restored a double-digit cushion, and the Generals led 55-44 at the break.

Lyceum erupted for nine straight points out of the break, and Renz Villegas’ layup made it 55-53. Simon Peñafiel’s basket then trimmed the gap to 65-64 entering the final quarter.

EAC started the fourth with a 6-0 burst, but Matthew Rubico sparked a 7-0 run that put the Pirates ahead, 74-73. Wilmar Oftana’s layup later gave the Generals a three-point lead with over two minutes left.

Joseph Nunag’s fastbreak layup stretched the margin to 84-79. Rubico then missed a key layup, Oftana buried a triple on the next possession, and a late layup sealed the 89-79 final.

Turnovers and Fastbreaks Tilt NCAA Season 102 Matchup

EAC turned 24 Lyceum turnovers into points, while the Pirates managed only eight off the Generals’ miscues. EAC also won the fastbreak battle, 28-12, according to the box score published by Tiebreaker Times.

EJ Castillo led EAC with 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting, plus three rebounds and two assists off the bench. Oftana added 13 points and six rebounds, and Jude Bagay chipped in 12.

Rubico posted a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds for Lyceum, while Roger Ondoa had 20 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Villegas contributed 11 points in the loss.

EAC faces Mapúa University on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 5 p.m. Lyceum meets Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 3 p.m.