Basti Valencia comes through as Arellano escapes EAC, stays unbeaten in NCAA B

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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