Arellano University leaned on another all-around performance from T-Mc Ongotan as the versatile guard powered the Chiefs to a 74-56 win over the Lyceum of the Philippines University in NCAA Season 101 action on Wednesday at the Filoil Centre.
Ongotan continued to be the heart of Arellano with a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds, on top of three assists and two blocks while Mav Vinoya churned out 14 markers, four boards, and three steals as the Chiefs notched their third straight win to rise to 6-6 and stay in the hunt for the coveted twice-to-beat bonus.
Arellano now needs to beat Mapua University by at least four points in its final elimination game on Friday to clinch a top-two finish.
"Sobrang saya, nag-work 'yung system kasi ayun 'yung sinulat ni coach Chico sa board namin before the game, attitude, consistency, at system. Ayun lang," Vinoya said.
"Nag-stick lang kami do'n and thank God nagbunga ng maganda 'yung pakikinig namin kay coach."
Arellano carried over the momentum from its last two wins against San Sebastian and Perpetual, with Vinoya spearheading a first-half barrage that pushed the Chiefs ahead by as many as 20, 26-6, before settling for a 37-27 lead at the break.
Yet the Pirates refused to go quietly, drawing life from Ato Barba and Gyle Montaño in their attempt to claw back into the game.
Barba fired a three-pointer before Montaño completed a three-point play that cut their deficit to 12, 54-68, with still 4:51 left to play in the fourth period.
Things got heated when Renz Villegas and CJ Libang were called for technical fouls following a verbal exchange at the 3:15 mark. But that didn't take the focus away from the Chiefs as Ernest Geronimo and Ongotan drained the finishing buckets.
The Chiefs managed to rout the Pirates despite getting no output from their second-best scorer Renzo Abiera, who was held scoreless on a 0-of-3 shooting clip.
But several key contributors rose to the occasion with Basti Valencia chipping eight points, four rebounds, and one steal while Anthony Borromeo posted seven markers, four boards, and one dime.
Scores:
Arellano 74 - Ongotan 24, Vinoya 14, Valencia 8, Borromeo 7, Geronimo 6, Demetria 4, Libang 4, Camay 3, Hernal 2, Buenaventura 2, Cabotaje 0, Abiera 0, Acop 0, Anarna 0, Langit 0.
LPU 56 - Barba 13, Montaño 7, Villegas 6, Versoza 6, Aviles 6, Matienzo 4, Abregana 3, Casiño 3, Moralejo 2, Gordon 2, Daileg 2, Peñafiel 2, Aurigue 0, Pallingayan 0, Paulo 0.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
