By: Joaquin Cortez
Arellano University remained unbeaten, edging Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 82-81, to finish the first round of the group phase with a perfect 4-0 record in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Monday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Both teams entered Monday’s matchup as the last two remaining undefeated squads in the tournament, but it was the Chiefs who claimed the top spot in Group B at 4-0. Letran, meanwhile, absorbed its first loss of the season to slip to 3-1 in second place heading into the crossover round.
“Siguro ‘yong good luck nasa amin talaga. Maraming mga struggles kanina and mga attempts namin, ‘di pumasok, but luckily, ‘yong pinaka-huling segundo, doon kami naka-advance,” Arellano head coach Chico Manabat said. “‘Yong rebounding, ‘yong breaks na naka-steal kami; ‘yon ‘yong storya.”
Trailing by six points at halftime, Arellano flipped the momentum in the third quarter, capitalizing on offensive rebounds to keep possessions alive and outscoring Letran, 26-15, to take a 68-63 lead heading into the fourth.
Just as Arellano began to take control, the Chiefs were dealt a setback with six minutes left in the fourth quarter when Basti Valencia was disqualified after being called for an unsportsmanlike foul on a three-point attempt involving excessive contact with Kevin Santos.
Following Valencia’s ejection, Chad Gammad answered with four straight points, converting a free throw before knocking down a three-pointer to put Letran back ahead, 76-73.
Arellano refused to go away, responding with an 8-0 run capped by a Karl Flores triple to reclaim the lead, 81-76, with more than three minutes remaining.
Despite another Gammad triple and Justin Cargo keeping Letran’s comeback hopes alive, the Knights had two chances to steal the game in the final seconds. However, shots from Gammad and Denzil Walker rimmed out as Arellano escaped with the victory.
T-Mc Ongotan carried the Chiefs with a career-high 29 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks, while Flores added 10 points and five rebounds.
“Tinatrabaho ko lang naman ‘yong puwede kong matulong sa court, lalo na medyo mahigpit na ‘yong bantay sa akin, and kapag hinahawakan ko ‘yong bola, ‘di talaga ako makabuwelo,” Ongotan said after his career-high performance. “Tinrabaho ko lang ‘yong puwede kong gawin kahit wala sa akin ‘yong bola and nag-effort lang ako.”
Gammad led the Knights with a career-best 23 points, including six three-pointers, while Cargo chipped in 20 points, four rebounds, and two steals.
The Knights played without Titing Manalili, who is recovering from a right wrist sprain sustained in their previous game against Emilio Aguinaldo College last Thursday.
Both teams will begin their crossover-round campaigns next week. Letran will face San Beda University in a rematch of last year’s finals on Monday, Oct. 5, at 5:00 p.m., while Arellano takes on Mapúa University on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 3:00 p.m.
The Scores:
Arellano 82 – Ongotan 29, Flores 10, Vinoya 9, Valencia 9, Geronimo 9, Borromeo 6, Manansala 3, Abiera 3, Camay 2, Libang 2, Buenaventura 0, Cabotaje 0.
Letran 81 – Gammad 23, Cargo 20, Walker 10, Estrada 9, Valdeavilla 6, Buensalida 5, Santos 4, Montecillo 2, Diamante 2, Hugo 0, Reyes 0.
Quarterscores: 25-28, 42-48, 68-63, 82-81.
