Breaking a tough losing streak, the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Brigadiers edged out Colegio de San Juan de Letran with a narrow 78-75 victory in the NCAA Season 101 juniors basketball tournament held at the Filoil Centre on Sunday. This win wasn’t just a morale booster—it marked a significant rebound for EAC after two consecutive losses, and it also moved them closer to the playoffs. And here’s where it gets interesting: with this result, EAC has secured an automatic spot in the quarterfinals, but they still have an outside shot at earning one of the coveted twice-to-beat incentives—an advantage that can be crucial in knockout stages.
In a game filled with momentum swings, Xyriel Macahipay was instrumental for EAC, scoring 20 points on an incredibly efficient 9-of-11 shooting. He also contributed six rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and a steal—showing his all-around impact on both ends of the court. Meanwhile, Johari Domingo and Noel Lanceta each added 13 points, providing valuable support.
The match looked to be slipping away from EAC late in the fourth quarter when Letran, thanks to Justin Cargo’s basket, pulled ahead to a 73-68 lead. But Kelly Coronel stepped up in crunch time, sinking three free throws in a row to narrow the gap. Then, Lanceta hit a clutch jumper that tied the game at 73 with just over a minute remaining. Prince Taganas and Macahipay responded with back-to-back baskets, giving EAC a 77-73 lead that seemed to seal the deal.
Letran refused to give up, mounting a late rally that saw Mico Pascual convert two free throws, bringing the Squires within two points. Yet, EAC held firm, with Coronel splitting his free throws to keep the opposition at bay. This victory was especially meaningful for the Brigadiers, who needed to bounce back after losing to Mapua University and Jose Rizal University in their previous games.
For Letran, Nathan Egea and Justin Cargo led the scoring with 17 and 16 points respectively, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their first defeat after a three-game winning streak that included victories over San Sebastian, JRU, and La Salle Green Hills. This game shows how tightly contested the NCAA juniors division can be, and it raises questions about what strategies teams might need to secure those critical wins in the final stretch. Do you think EAC’s comeback displays a new resilience, or was Letran simply missing that final edge? Share your thoughts below—this season keeps delivering surprises.
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