Wilmar Oftana stepped up as the emotional and on-court leader, powering the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals to an 84–73 victory over the Arellano University Chiefs on Friday in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Oftana fired 19 points to anchor the Generals’ balanced attack, with three other teammates scoring in double figures to help EAC snap a two-game skid and improve to 2–3 in the standings.
“This is what I told the boys: we’re at the bottom of the standings, and this was a must-win game,” said Generals head coach Jerson Cabiltes. “Fortunately, the boys responded. Arellano thrives on pressure, so we wanted to match and outmatch their energy.”
Brianne Angeles chipped in 15 points, while Jude Bagay and Cris Shanoda, who earned a starting nod this time, added 12 and 11 markers respectively.
The 6-foot-3 Shanoda made his presence felt in the paint, dropping nine points in the second quarter alone to help the Generals establish control. His two free throws and a layup in the final 2:23 of the first half widened EAC’s lead to 49–37 at the break.
Oftana then teamed up with Bagay in the third quarter, combining for 11 points as EAC maintained its double-digit cushion, 66–52.
The Generals’ intensity on both ends proved too much for the Chiefs, who dropped to the same 2–3 slate.
In Juniors action, Tristan Allam recorded a monster double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds as the EAC Brigadiers outlasted the Arellano Braves, 94–87, in the juniors division.
Allam delivered 12 points in the third quarter alone to help the Brigadiers build a 77–67 advantage entering the final frame.
Xyril Macahipay backed him up with 16 points and 12 rebounds as EAC improved to 4–1 in the standings.
