By: Joaquin Cortez

Arellano University remained unbeaten, edging Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 82-81, to finish the first round of the group phase with a perfect 4-0 record in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Monday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Both teams entered Monday’s matchup as the last two remaining undefeated squads in the tournament, but it was the Chiefs who claimed the top spot in Group B at 4-0. Letran, meanwhile, absorbed its first loss of the season to slip to 3-1 in second place heading into the crossover round.

“Siguro ‘yong good luck nasa amin talaga. Maraming mga struggles kanina and mga attempts namin, ‘di pumasok, but luckily, ‘yong pinaka-huling segundo, doon kami naka-advance,” Arellano head coach Chico Manabat said. “‘Yong rebounding, ‘yong breaks na naka-steal kami; ‘yon ‘yong storya.”

Trailing by six points at halftime, Arellano flipped the momentum in the third quarter, capitalizing on offensive rebounds to keep possessions alive and outscoring Letran, 26-15, to take a 68-63 lead heading into the fourth.

Just as Arellano began to take control, the Chiefs were dealt a setback with six minutes left in the fourth quarter when Basti Valencia was disqualified after being called for an unsportsmanlike foul on a three-point attempt involving excessive contact with Kevin Santos.

Following Valencia’s ejection, Chad Gammad answered with four straight points, converting a free throw before knocking down a three-pointer to put Letran back ahead, 76-73.

Arellano refused to go away, responding with an 8-0 run capped by a Karl Flores triple to reclaim the lead, 81-76, with more than three minutes remaining.

Despite another Gammad triple and Justin Cargo keeping Letran’s comeback hopes alive, the Knights had two chances to steal the game in the final seconds. However, shots from Gammad and Denzil Walker rimmed out as Arellano escaped with the victory.

T-Mc Ongotan carried the Chiefs with a career-high 29 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks, while Flores added 10 points and five rebounds.

“Tinatrabaho ko lang naman ‘yong puwede kong matulong sa court, lalo na medyo mahigpit na ‘yong bantay sa akin, and kapag hinahawakan ko ‘yong bola, ‘di talaga ako makabuwelo,” Ongotan said after his career-high performance. “Tinrabaho ko lang ‘yong puwede kong gawin kahit wala sa akin ‘yong bola and nag-effort lang ako.”

Gammad led the Knights with a career-best 23 points, including six three-pointers, while Cargo chipped in 20 points, four rebounds, and two steals.

The Knights played without Titing Manalili, who is recovering from a right wrist sprain sustained in their previous game against Emilio Aguinaldo College last Thursday.

Both teams will begin their crossover-round campaigns next week. Letran will face San Beda University in a rematch of last year’s finals on Monday, Oct. 5, at 5:00 p.m., while Arellano takes on Mapúa University on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 3:00 p.m.

The Scores:

Arellano 82 – Ongotan 29, Flores 10, Vinoya 9, Valencia 9, Geronimo 9, Borromeo 6, Manansala 3, Abiera 3, Camay 2, Libang 2, Buenaventura 0, Cabotaje 0.

Letran 81 – Gammad 23, Cargo 20, Walker 10, Estrada 9, Valdeavilla 6, Buensalida 5, Santos 4, Montecillo 2, Diamante 2, Hugo 0, Reyes 0.

Quarterscores: 25-28, 42-48, 68-63, 82-81.

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Arellano University has officially recorded the best start in its 17-year history in the NCAA Seniors Basketball Tournament.

Its 3-0 start in NCAA Season 102 may come as a surprise, especially considering that the Chiefs have already made two Finals appearances, in 2014 and 2016.

However, for head coach Chico Manabat and his players, their unbeaten start is neither an added source of pressure nor something to be overly surprised about.

“Ang importante dito, lahat kami sama-sama and maghahanda kami ng maghahanda hanggang saan kami dalhin ng ganitong opportunity,” he said.

“We make sure na lahat ng opportunity na ibibigay sa amin, ‘di namin palalagpasin.”

The three-game winning streak to open the season is a testament to Manabat and his squad, whom he has consistently described as his “superheroes” and “minions” over the past week.

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Notably, Manabat dubbed T-Mc Ongotan the Chiefs’ “Batman” after the point guard erupted for 26 points against Emilio Aguinaldo College, while Basti Valencia took on the role of “Robin.”

Both Ongotan and Valencia are graduating seniors for Arellano.

“Alam niyo naman itong dalawa parang Batman and Robin sila. Parehas naman nag-deliver, and then the rest, ‘yun ‘yung mga minions namin. Sama-sama sila, togetherness. Nakakatuwa,” said Manabat.

In Arellano’s 23-point drubbing of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Friday, another hero appeared to join the fray—“Iron Man” King Vinoya.

Vinoya was seen jokingly asking Manabat if he had earned the nickname by then, and after his 15-point performance against the Altas, the Chiefs head coach was more than willing to give him his due.

More than relying on his stars, Manabat explained that his constant mantra of togetherness has allowed his “minions” off the bench to seamlessly pick up where the starters left off.

“Like I said before, kung may Batman and Robin, ‘yung mga minions nagtrabaho sila. Coming off the bench talaga. Nakita naman namin, ‘yung minions trumabaho sila. Ang pinakaimportante talaga yung togetherness,” he added.

“Yung minions talaga sila yung kaninang bumuhay doon sa bench.”

Whatever other heroes Arellano may have in store, the dominance it has displayed this early in the season is a testament to how quickly a program can redirect its fortunes.

Coming off a 1-8 record and a ninth-place finish in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, the Chiefs have now emerged from the dark and put together the most impressive start in their nearly two-decade stint in the NCAA.

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Basti Valencia came through when Arellano University needed him most, drilling a go-ahead three-pointer with 40 seconds left as the Chiefs held off Emilio Aguinaldo College, 91-87, to remain unbeaten in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Down 87-85, T-Mac Ongotan drew two defenders before dishing the ball to Anthony Borromeo, who quickly swung it to Valencia.

The 6-foot-2 guard from Laguna then calmly knocked down the clutch triple to put the Chiefs ahead, 88-87.

On the ensuing possession, Jude Bagay overcooked his shot, allowing Ongotan to push the ball up the floor and finish with a floater for a three-point lead.

Pressed for time, Wilmar Oftana missed a three-pointer, while Ernest Geronimo split his free throws to seal the victory and keep the Chiefs unblemished after two games.

“Actually, given na sa dalawa na kapag pinasa ni T-MC or Basti Valencia, kailangan mag-deliver ang players,” Manabat said. “’Yong full of trust, pina-practice din naman namin ‘yon … sa mga endgame, ito ‘yong pinractice namin talaga ”

Ongotan paced the Chiefs with 26 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while King Vinoya added 15 points and four rebounds. Valencia finished with 14 points and six boards.

“Iniisa rin naman namin ‘yong ganoong moment. Lagi sinasabi sa akin ni coach … kailangan dapat sa duluhan, dapat nandoon ako, dapat ako yung magtatapos ng game,” Ongotan said.

Arellano appeared in control early, building an eight-point lead in the second quarter before EAC turned the game around with stifling defense late in the third.

The Generals closed the period on an 11-2 run capped by Jude Bagay’s and-one conversion, taking a slim 70-68 lead into the final frame.

Jacob Shamoda and EJ Castillo wasted no time attacking the paint in the fourth, scoring back-to-back layups in the opening 30 seconds to give the Generals a six-point cushion, 74-68.

EAC continued to keep Arellano at bay midway through the period, with Bagay knocking down two free throws to preserve an 81-77 advantage.

But the Chiefs refused to go away.

Ongotan buried a timely triple to tie the game at 84-all with two minutes remaining before splitting his free throws on the next possession to put Arellano ahead, 85-84.

Joseph Nunag quickly answered on the other end, converting a putback to restore EAC’s lead at 86-85.

That set the stage for Valencia, who delivered the biggest shot of the game.

Arellano will return to action on Monday against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.

For the 0-2 Generals, five players scored in double figures, led by Bagay with 16 points and eight rebounds.

Kyle Ochavo added 15 points, while MJ Raymundo and Shamoda had 14 points apiece. Nunag finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.

EAC will have a day to regroup before facing Letran on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 5 p.m.

The Scores:

Arellano 91 – Ongotan 26, Vinoya 15, Valencia 14, Cabotaje 8, Borromeo 6, Camay 6, Geronimo 5, Manansala 5, Buenaventura 3, Libang 2, Hernal 1, Langit 0, Flores 0, Abiera 0.

EAC 87 – Bagay 16, Ochavo 15, M. Raymundo 14, Shamoda 14, Nunag 12, Castillo 8, Mundas 4, Oftana 2, Coronel 2, H. Raymundo 0, Baniqued 0, Bonus 0, Namoro 0, Lanceta 0.

Quarterscores: 25-24, 47-44, 68-70, 91-87.

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