King Gurtiza carried Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) through a pivotal stretch in NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball, helping the Generals climb back into Final Four contention after an early-season slump. Over three games in October 2024, Gurtiza earned a Player of the Week honor and posted the best game of his college career.
Two Wins in Three Days
After winning just three of their first eight games, EAC beat San Sebastian College-Recoletos 97-86 on October 8, 2024, with Gurtiza posting 14 points, three rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Three days later, on October 11, he scored 21 points with two rebounds, two assists and two steals to help EAC erase a fourth-quarter deficit and beat the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 78-70.
The two wins pulled EAC into a share of fifth place with Lyceum of the Philippines University at 5-5, reviving the Generals’ hopes of reaching the Final Four for the first time since joining the league in 2009.
Named NCAA Player of the Week
The Collegiate Press Corps, backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, named Gurtiza NCAA Player of the Week for October 8-13. He averaged 17.5 points, 4.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals over the two games, edging out San Beda’s Yukien Andrada, Lyceum’s Renz Villegas and College of Saint Benilde’s Allen Liwag for the honor.
A Career Night in the San Sebastian Rematch
Gurtiza’s best game came a week later. On October 19, he scored a career-high 27 points, going 5-of-11 from three-point range, with five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal, leading EAC to a 101-94 win over San Sebastian in their second meeting of the season. The win pulled the Generals into a three-way tie for fourth place with Lyceum and Letran at 6-6.
“I just want to leave a lasting legacy in the NCAA and EAC by entering the Final Four in my last season,” Gurtiza said after the game.
Closing a Memorable College Chapter
In his final year with EAC, Gurtiza served as team captain and finished the elimination round as the team’s leading scorer, averaging 15.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and a steal per game. The Generals finished NCAA Season 100 with a 9-9 record, one game behind fourth-seed Lyceum for the last Final Four spot, extending their 15-year wait for a first Final Four appearance.
Gurtiza has since declared for the PBA Season 50 Draft, closing out a college career defined by his October surge and his push to bring EAC back into contention.
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