EMILIO Aguinaldo College used a stellar second half to snag its second straight win in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at the expense of San Sebastian, 86-71, at San Juan Arena on Sunday.

The Generals had the Golden Stags breathing down their necks at the intermission before going on a gargantuan second half to improve to a 3-3 record in Group B.

“Ang sabi ko lang naman sa mga bata ay we need to win this game kasi ‘yong grupo namin na may Letran, CSB at Beda, umaangat na ‘yong wins,” coach Jerson Cabiltes said.

“We need to catch up. It’ll be very hard for us if we lose this game,” he added.

EAC followed up from its win over Arellano on Friday when the Generals easily cruised past the lowly Chiefs, 84-73.

Getting to the dub wasn’t exactly a cakewalk for Cabiltes’ wards, however.

At the half, EAC barely led San Sebastian, 38-37. The Generals flipped the switch in the latter part of the game to send the Golden Stags skidding to their third straight loss with a 1-5 record in Group A.

EAC held a slim two-point cushion over Baste, 52-50, at the 4:04mark of the third salvo before unloading a quarter-ending 11-5 run to take a 63-55 lead entering the fourth.

Since then, the Stags were unable to mount any comeback run, ultimately dropping to Group A’s fourth spot just above winless Lyceum (0-5).

Wilmar Oftana led EAC’s charge with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. The duo of Jude Bagay and Deo Lucero also helped the cause with 17 and 13 points, respectively.

San Sebastian big man Jhuniel Dela Rama’s monster double-double of 20 points and 15 rebounds was flushed down the drain alongside Oneil Castor’s 13 markers.

The scores:

EAC (86)  – Oftana 18, Bagay 17, Lucero 13, Angeles 8, Shanoda 6, Quinal 5, Castillo 5, Postanes 5, Tolentino 3, Ochavo 2, Bacud 2, Villarente 2, Loristo 0, Omandac 0, Devara 0.

SSC-R (71)  – Dela Rama 20, Castor 13, Nepacena 9, Lumanag 7, Felebrico 6, Gabat 5, Velasco 5, Cuajao 4, Ricio 2, Cruz 0.

Quarterscores: 21-19, 38-37, 63-55, 86-71.