ARELLANO ended a three-game slide and stayed in the running for a twice-to-beat advantage in Group A of the NCAA Season 101 after a 78-71 win over San Sebastian on Wednesday at the Playtime Filoil Center in San Juan.
T-Mc Ongotan and Renzo Abiera took turns in leading the Chiefs' attack, as they broke away in the third quarter to take control of the game for good.
The pair conspired with Joseph Hernal in a 14-2 run which gave Arellano a 54-42 with 4:08 remaining in the third period - a lead they never relinquished.
The win improved Arellano's record to 4-6, just a game behind the 5-5 Mapua who's holding on to the final twice-to-beat spot of the group. More importantly, they created separation from the play-in as the fourth running Stags dropped to 3-8, just half a game ahead of the bottom-dwelling Lyceum at 2-8.
“Ang kinukuha namin dito ay, kung ‘di man kami mag-number two, ‘yong number three, possible,” coach Chico Manabat said.
“Pagbalik natin sa group natin, pag binigay na sa atin ‘yong opportunity, kunin na natin. Kunin na natin at wag na natin pabayaan.”
Ongotan filled the statsheet with 25 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block while Abiera added 20 points.
Neil Castor led the way for the Stags with 19 points while Christian Ricio added 14 but it wasn't enough as they saw their first ever win-streak snapped. .
The scores:
ARELLANO 78 – Ongotan 25, Abiera 20, Hernal 9, Geronimo 6, Valencia 4, Vinoya 4, Borromeo 2, Demetria 2, Camay 2, Cabotaje 2, Acop 2, Libang 0, Buenaventura 0, Langit 0, Anama 0
SAN SEBASTIAN 71 – Castor 19, Ricio 14, Segovia 11, Dela Rama 11, Felebrico 5, Cabilla 5, Gabat 4, Lumanag 2, Cuajao 0, Dimaunahan 0
Quarters: 22-20, 40-38, 63-55, 78-71
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