Just five days removed from a rare triple-double showing, T-Mc Ongotan proved he has more to show off.
The explosive guard clicked right from the get-go en route to a career-high outing as Arellano University upset the well-rested De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 72-67, in the NCAA Season 101 on Sunday.
The veteran guard erupted for a career-best 28 points, highlighted by a 20-point first-half outburst, while also grabbing three rebounds and four steals as he completed another feat less than a week after his 13-point, 10-rebound, and 10-assist showing against Lyceum last Tuesday.
With Ongotan flashing his brilliance, the Chiefs are able to bounce back from a previous loss to EAC and improve to 3-3 in Group A while the Blazers, who have not seen action in a week, snapped their three-game winning streak to go 3-2 in Group B.
Ongotan couldn't be stopped in the first half, dropping three triples to punish the Blazers as they led by as much as 15, 42-27.
But the Blazers made a run to end the half trailing by just six despite still missing the services of reigning MVP Allen Liwag, 39-45.
Benilde even took its first-ever lead of the game when Matthew Oli scored on a putback, giving last year's runner-up a 55-54 cushion halfway through the third.
Arellano proved to be unfazed with Ongotan firing a huge triple and Ernjay Geronimo sinking a jumper that gave the Chiefs a 67-61 lead.
Big man Shawn Umali rallied Benilde in their final comeback attempt, converting two consecutive layups to cut the deficit to two, 67-69, in the final two minutes.
But Ongotan extinguished the fire by completing a three-point play off a Raffy Celis foul, steering Arellano to a five-point advantage and the eventual victory.
Although Ongotan was the only Chief in double-digit scoring, he didn't lack the support with Basti Valencia finishing with nine points, five rebounds, and two assists while Renzo Abiera chipped in six markers and seven boards.
Scores:
Arellano 72 - Ongotan 28, Valencia 9, Camay 7, Vinoya 6, Geronimo 6, Abiera 6, Cabotaje 5, Libang 5, Borromeo 0, Buenaventura 0, Hernal 0, Anama 0.
Benilde 67 - Sanchez 16, Ynot 13, Cometa 12, Umali 12, Gaspay 4, Galas 4, Oli 2, Torres 2, Eusebio 2, Celis 0, Ancheta 0, Morales 0, Moore 0, Cajucom 0.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
