THIS time, the upset ax finally fell on College of St. Benilde.
Arellano University survived two crucial missed free throws by TMc Ongotan and a potential game-winning basket by Justine Sanchez to escape the Blazers, 73-71, and shake up the standings in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament on Friday.
The thrilling endgame at the Filoil EcoOil Centre came down to the final possession after Ongotan failed to finish it off for the Chiefs when he missed two free throws with 14.5 seconds left for a chance to pad their lead to four.
But the Blazers couldn’t complete a second straight escape act as Sanchez – perfectly set up by Jhomel Ancheta –bothched the game-winning three at the buzzer, much to the relief of Ongotan and the entire Arellano bench.
Coming off a 96-94 overtime win over San Sebastian in a game where its huge 26-point lead got erased, Benilde absorbed its second loss in the first round for a 6-2 record, allowing idle Mapua to tie it for the top spot.
Turnovers obviously hurt the Blazers, who gave the ball away 24 times compared to 15 by the Chiefs, who then used the discrepancy to outscore their opposition, 31-17.
Ongotan still paced Arellano with 16 points, while EJ Geronimo had 14, including a clutch jumper with 29 seconds to go that gave them a 73-69 lead.
Arellano improved to a 3-6 record - with all of its wins coming in the last five games. With triumphs over Benilde and defending champion San Beda, they now stand at eighth to end the first round.
Big man Allen Liwag had a monster 18 points and 17 rebounds for the Blazers, but had a huge turnover with 46 seconds left off an errant pass to Gab Cometa that led to Geronimo’s basket.
The scores:
ARELLANO 73 - Ongotan 16, Geronimo 14 Abiera 10, Capulong 8, Valencia 8, Vinoya 7, Hernal 5, Libang 4, Borromeo 1, Dela Cruz 0, Camay 0.
BENILDE 71 - Liwag 18, Cometa 15, Sanchez 10, Torres 9, Oli 7, Ondoa 3, Morales 3, Ancheta 2, Cajucom 2, Turco 2, Sangco 0, Eusebio 0.
Quarters: 23-11; 40-39; 56-58; 73-71.
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