EAC Generals beat San Sebastian Stags 94-87: Third-quarter explosion, fourth-quarter near-collapse

At Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan, NCAA Season 102 produced a game whose final score of 94-87 in favor of Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals did not tell the whole story. Minutes earlier, EAC led San Sebastian Stags 78-68 after three quarters and seemed in control. Then in the first few minutes of the fourth, the gap shrank to 81-80 after a 12-3 Stags run. The arena held its breath. Philippine collegiate basketball always finds a way to turn a seemingly settled game into an emotional torture test. This was a regular-season game in NCAA Season 102, the prestigious Philippine collegiate basketball league. EAC Generals entered with only one win, while San Sebastian Stags were still searching for their first victory and fell to 0-4 after this result. EAC coach Jerson Cabiltes had reason to smile and shake his head at the same time: his team showed abundant offense, but also exposed its problem with protecting a late lead. In the first quarter, EAC played as if it wanted to end the game early. It scored 35 points while San Sebastian had only 26. Fast-paced attacks, wing drives and three-point shooting helped EAC build a nine-point cushion. But collegiate basketball is never about one quarter. In the second, San Sebastian responded strongly. The Stags scored 28 points while EAC managed only 16. At halftime, EAC surprisingly trailed 51-54. That comeback showed San Sebastian was not quitting despite its winless start. The brightest part of EAC's second quarter was that it did not let the opponent pull too far away. It kept the game within reach. But the decisive moment came in the third quarter. EAC scored 27 points while San Sebastian had only 14. MJ Raymundo exploded for 10 points in that period, stretching the Stags defense with cuts and mid-range finishes. At the end of three, EAC led 78-68. That was a safe lead in theory, but not safe at all for a young team. EAC's problem came in the fourth quarter. It scored only 16 points while San Sebastian scored 19. More notably, EAC led 78-66 before allowing the Stags to go on a 12-3 run that cut the deficit to 81-80. Hasty decisions, defensive lapses and turnovers appeared exactly when the game demanded composure. Without clutch plays, EAC could have lost after leading. Wilmar Oftana ended the run. He scored 18 points, made four three-pointers and finished one rebound short of a double-double. By standard statistics, Oftana had 9 rebounds, a number that shows he scored and controlled the boards. The turning point was his steal and coast-to-coast layup, right when the Stags were surging to tie the score. Alongside Oftana, Jacob Shanoda had 18 points and 5 rebounds. Shanoda previously played for San Sebastian before transferring to EAC, so this game carried special meaning for him. His baskets in the deciding stretch went beyond numbers; they were an answer on the court. He finished the game with the calmness of a player who understood the pressure of facing his former team. EAC also had Harvae Raymundo with 12 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals. His energy created defensive momentum and helped EAC generate transition attacks. Another player, Nunag, added 10 points. In total, EAC had five double-figure scorers: Oftana 18, Shanoda 18, MJ Raymundo 17, Harvae Raymundo 12 and Nunag 10. That scoring balance was a positive sign, showing EAC does not depend on one star. For San Sebastian, despite a fourth straight loss, there was a bright spot named Nurben Muktimar. The rookie scored 12 points, made 2 of 4 from three, added 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Such an all-around line from a rookie is encouraging. If the Stags build around Muktimar, they may find hope in the rest of the season. The problem is that they need more than one individual. Overall, EAC won 94-87, but this was not a fully convincing performance. It started well, faded in the second quarter, exploded in the third and nearly dropped the win in the fourth. A team hoping to become a dark horse must learn to close games earlier. Coach Jerson Cabiltes will surely spend the week reviewing fourth-quarter film, especially shot selection and ball movement under pressure. From a tactical view, EAC showed multi-directional offense. MJ Raymundo creates breaks, Oftana stretches the defense, Shanoda works near the rim, and Harvae Raymundo supplies defensive energy. But that system needs a late-game conductor. Without Oftana and Shanoda stepping up in time, EAC would have paid the price. This is the eternal problem of young teams: enough offense, but not yet enough cold-blooded finishing. San Sebastian also showed it is not as weak as its 0-4 record suggests. The fourth-quarter 12-3 run proved the Stags still have life. They lack a consistent scorer and half-court defense in late-game situations. Muktimar is the first brick. If others step up, the Stags can break their losing streak. But in NCAA Season 102, time waits for no one. For EAC, this win keeps them in the race. For San Sebastian, this loss extends the pain. And for Philippine collegiate basketball fans, the game at Playtime Filoil Centre was a reminder that sometimes a great third quarter is not enough. Basketball is decided in the final minutes, where composure is measured by every small decision. Based on my experience following these games, a 94-87 win after leading 78-68 and then being cut to 81-80 usually leaves two lessons. First, the winning team must improve its lead management. Second, the losing team can find belief from the comeback itself. EAC won, but if it wants to go far, it must make the fourth quarter its calmest period. San Sebastian lost, but if it nurtures Muktimar, it can turn this season into a springboard. The game ended 94-87. EAC Generals added another win, while San Sebastian Stags remained without a point. But what lingers does not stop at the score column. It is the image of MJ Raymundo exploding, Oftana stealing, Shanoda finishing, Muktimar fighting. NCAA Season 102 is still long, and teams that seem out of the picture can change the landscape with one quarter. What to watch: what will EAC learn from its fourth-quarter run, and how far will San Sebastian build around Muktimar?