BY MILES ARCENAL
Arellano University took its biggest win of the season, stunning College of St. Benilde, 72-67, behind a 28-point explosion from T-Mac Ongotan on Sunday at the Playtime Filoil Center in San Juan.
Ongotan delivered a career-best performance while adding four steals and three rebounds to lead the Chiefs past the favored Blazers five days after posting a triple-double for the first time in his career.
READ: T-Mc takes flight with Arellano's first triple-double since Jio
After torching Benilde for 20 points in the first half, Ongotan faced tighter defense in the second, but the senior guard rose to the challenge when it mattered most.
With the game hanging in the balance, he drove hard to the basket and completed a crucial and-one play with 33.1 seconds left to give Arellano a five-point cushion, 71-67.
Benilde’s Justine Sanchez and Shawn Unali both tried to answer with late three-pointers but came up empty, allowing the Chiefs to improve their record to 3-3.
READ: Manabat seeks consistency as Arellano's up-and-down run continue
“Masaya ako sa outcome ng game. It’s all about hardwork and sleepless nights. Salamat din sa mga coaches and players na talagang sama-sama pa rin, pusong palaban,” said head coach Chico Manabat.
The Chiefs came out hot with an early 8-0 run before the Blazers countered with a 10-2 burst of their own. Arellano regained control late in the opening quarter to lead 17-15.
In the second frame, Ongotan caught fire, sinking midrange jumpers and attacking the paint to push the Chiefs ahead by as many as 15 points, 42-27. He closed the half with 20 points as Arellano held a 45-39 advantage.
Benilde came alive in the third quarter, mounting a 14-6 run behind Gabriel Cometa’s and-one and Matthew Oli’s jumper that briefly put them in front, 55-54.
But Arellano responded quickly through King Vinoya’s free throw and Ongotan’s steady presence, restoring the lead heading into the final frame.
From there, the Chiefs held firm. Despite Benilde’s late surge, Arellano’s defense clamped down on the Blazers, and Ongotan’s clutch and-one sealed the statement victory for Manabat’s squad.
“Big boost talaga sa’min kasi big fish nga ‘yung tawag namin. Looking forward sa next game namin, kailangan namin ng rest, mag-review ‘yung viewing and pag-aaralan namin yung players ng San Beda,” said Manabat.
Renzo Abiera chipped in eight points and five rebounds for Arellano, while Ernest Geronimo added seven markers.
Sanchez led Benilde - who dropped to 3-2 - with 16 points and six boards, followed by Umali’s 15.
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