Emilio Aguinaldo College jumped to solo fourth in NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball after a masterful 68-58 victory over Letran on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

The Generals dictated the pace throughout with Harvey Pagsanjan and Nino Ochavo leading the charge on their way to their seventh win in 14 games.

The win not only bolstered EAC’s bid for its first-ever Final Four appearance since joining the league in 2009 but also avenged its stinging 75-73 loss to Letran in the first round last Sept. 25.

Pagsanjan rallied with 13 points, three rebounds and five assists while Ochavo scored 10 points, three boards and three assists for the Generals, who led by as many as 15, 62-47, midway the final period.

Main man King Gurtiza was limited to nine points, but took charge inside the paint by hauling seven boards and two blocks. Wilmar Oftana also contributed eight points and eight rebounds.

After leading 2-0, Letran quickly lost steam and trailed EAC, 15-11, at the end of first quarter.

The Generals held onto their lead throughout and banked on their stifling defense that limited the Knights’ top scorers Jimboy Estrada to 10 points and Vince Cuajao to nine.

Letran absorbed its eighth loss against seven wins to slip to fifth place, just half a game behind EAC.

Later in the day, Justine Sanchez came through big as College of St. Benilde survived University of Perpetual Help, 61-56, to solidify its grip of 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.

The Altas fell to 6-9.

The scores:

First Game

EAC 68 – Pagsanjan 13, Ochavo 10, Loristo 9, Gurtiza 9, Oftana 8, Quinal 6, Jacob 4, Ednilag 3, Doromal 2, Lucero 2, Bacud 2, Bagay 0, Luciano 0.

LETRAN 58 – Estrada 10, Nunag 10, Cuajao 9, Monje 7, Miller 6, Montecillo 5, Javillonar 4, Baliling 3, Jumao-As 2, Dimaano 2, Delfino 0.

Quarters: 15-11; 33-29; 54-45; 68-58.

Second Game

ST. BENILDE 61 – Sanchez 16, Liwag 10, Torres 6, Sangco 5, Oli 5, Cometa 5, Turco 5, Ynot 4, Eusebio 2, Jarque 2, Ondoa 1, Ancheta 0, Morales 0, Cajucom 0.

PERPETUAL 56 – Pagaran 18, Gojo Cruz 15, Boral 5, Manuel 5, Abis 4, Pizarro 3, Movida 2, Nuñez 2, Gelsao 2, Thompson 0, Montemayor 0.

Quarters: 20-12; 38-22; 51-34; 61-56.