EMILIO Aguinaldo College leaned on its suffocating defense in neutralizing Jimboy Estrada and Letran, 68-58, on Wednesday as it boosted its semifinal bid in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
The Generals held Estrada to 10 points after averaging around 18 while shackling the Knights, who were held eight points below their average, to jump from No. 5 to No. 4 with a 7-7 record.
EAC supplanted Letran there and kicked the latter down to No. 5 after absorbing its second loss in a row and eighth overall against seven wins.
More importantly, it put the Generals on the cusp of claiming their breakthrough Final Four appearance since joining the league 15 years ago.
Harvey Pagsanjan paced his team with 13 points and five assists while presiding over the Generals’ strangling defense.
The Generals made their move in the third quarter as Pagsanjan sparked their run with six points in transforming a slim 33-29 halftime lead to a 54-45 advantage at the end of the third period.
Then EAC unleashed the knockout punch and built its biggest lead of the game at 62-57 and never looked back from there.
Meanwhile, Justine Sanchez came through big as College of St. Benilde survived University of Perpetual Help, 61-56, to solidify its grip on the solo lead.
Sanchez shone the brightest with 16 points as the Blazers continued to keep its hold of the top spot with a 12-2 mark.
Games Tuesday
(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
11 a.m.- Letran vs EAC
2:30 p.m.- JRU vs AU
