By: Miguel Caramoan
T-Mc Ongotan returned to form as Arellano University snapped its three-game losing streak with a 78-71 victory over San Sebastian College-Recoletos in NCAA Season 101 on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The 22-year-old guard poured in 25 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Renzo Abiera added 20 points, while Joseph Hernal had a perfect shooting game with nine points and seven rebounds on 3-of-3 shooting, helping restore order for the Chiefs.
“Sinabi ko sa kanila na we need an energy guy. Knowing Baste, maganda yung pagkapanalo nila sa games and hindi basta-basta ibibigay sa atin – lalaban tayo and paghahandaan natin. Si T-Mc kasi may iniinda pa yan, pero talaga yung pusong palaban nasa kanya,” said Chiefs head coach Chico Manabat on his team’s contributions.
Arellano came out strong in the third quarter, building their largest lead at 59-46 with 2:22 left in the period, capped by a completed Abiera three-point play. Ongotan, Abiera, and Hernal combined for 17 of the Chiefs’ 23 third-quarter points.
San Sebastian fought back, trimming the deficit to 68-70 after Neil Castor’s triple at the 5:13 mark of the fourth quarter. But Ongotan delivered the decisive plays, hitting a midrange jumper to make it 75-70 and converting crucial free throws to seal the win.
The victory keeps Arellano at third place in Group A with a 4-6 record, just a game behind Mapua for the second seed, while preventing San Sebastian from catching up.
“Yung struggle naman namin the past three games, yun siguro yung nag-fuel sa amin para ma-correct namin, kasi madami talaga. Ganyan talaga ang NCAA, adjustments and magagaling talaga mga coaches dito,” Manabat reflected on how the team approached their previous three-game skid.
The Chiefs will face Group A leader Perpetual Altas on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
“Kinompose ko yung mga bata, sabi ko pagbalik namin sa group natin, kapag binigay yung opportunity kunin natin. Hindi kasi yan ibibigay ng basta basta, so we worked together and trabahuhin natin yung ibibigay sa atin na chances at wag natin pabayaan,” Manabat added about holding on to the third spot in Group A.
On the other hand, the Golden Stags fell to 3-8 after back-to-back victories over top teams Letran and Perpetual. Neil Castor led four San Sebastian players in double figures with 19 points.
San Sebastian will face the LPU Pirates on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in their penultimate Group A second-round game.
The Scores:
Arellano 78 – Ongotan 25, Abiera 20, Hernal 9, Geronimo 6, Valencia 4, Vinoya 4, Demetria 2, Borromeo 2, Acop 2, Cabotaje 2, Camay 2, Langit 0, Buenaventura 0, Anama 0, Libang 0
San Sebastian 71 – Castor 19, Ricio 14, Dela Rama 11, Segovia 11, Felebrico 5, Cabilla 5, Gabat 4, Lumanag 2, Dimaunahan 0, Cuajao 0
Quarterscores: 22-20, 40-38, 63-55, 78-71
