FOR the first time in three years, somebody recorded a triple-double in the NCAA.
That honor goes to T-Mc Ongotan, who recorded 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Chiefs trampled the winless Lyceum Pirates 92-65 at the Playtime Filoil Centre in the NCAA Season 101.
While the fourth-year guard usually feasts at the paint as it is, he especially got his boards at this Tuesday's match thanks to their smaller lineup, an adjustment made by head coach Chico Manabat after the half.
READ: Arellano rides on big second half to keep Lyceum winless in S101
“Nag adjust ako, eh. Gumamit ako ng small ball. Yun ang lagi kong ginagawa sa practice eh, so nakita ko na pag naging okay ‘yon, paninindigan ko na,” Manabat said.
But not only was that the first triple-double since John Abis completed the feat back in Season 98, it's also the first from an Arellano player since Jio Jalalon, who notched two triple-doubles against Emilio Aguinaldo College back in Season 91.
“Masaya ako na naging part ako ng history ng Arellano,” said Ongotan, who spearheaded the Chiefs’ offense as the second-leading scorer behind Renzo Abiera’s 16 markers.
“Matagal na din sa akin sinasabi nila coach na kailangan ko maging leader. Parang yun yung reward sa akin pagiging leader ko kanina.”
For Ongotan, it was the perfect accolade to get, as not only was the ‘Cyclone’ one of his favorite players growing up, Jalalon was also one of his main reasons for joining the Legarda squad.
“Nung nanonood ako ng YouTube may parang may nakita akong Arellano [games]. At tsaka maliit sila, hindi naman katangaran. Pero parang ganoon din ako. Parang dun din yung inspire ko naman. Hindi hadlang yung kahit maliit yung ako yan,” he said.
Return of the Mac
Aside from Jalalon and Scottie Thompson being his favorite players growing up, Ongotan also looks up to former NBA player Tracy McGrady, who, coincidentally, also happens to be his namesake.
“Yung T-Mc ko pinangalan ng tito ko yun. Dapat talaga yung pangalan ko Jaedan lang. Yung nilagyan ng tito ko kasi idol niyo yung si Tracy McGrady, dinagdagan niya ng T-Mc,” he explained.
While he may have not seen McGrady in his prime, the Sorsogon native did study McGrady through highlights online, especially with his pedigree as a three-level scorer.
“Kasi sa diyaryo pinapakita ng tito ko na si Tracy McGrady, ganito ganyan, magaling ganyan,” Ongotan continued.
“Nung medyo may isip na ako, nung may social media na, gusto ko talaga, hinanap ko talaga kung sino talaga si Tracy McGrady. Nainspire naman ako sa mga ginawa niya sa NBA,” he added.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
