NCAA: T-Mc Ongotan posts career-high 29 as Arellano squeaks past Letran

T-Mc Ongotan dropped a career-high 29 points as Arellano University squeaked past Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 82-81, in the NCAA Season 102 on Monday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.

Ongotan also had 12 rebounds, three steals, three blocks, and two assists as the Chiefs notched their fourth straight win of the season.

The Knights were up 76-73 with 5:43 remaining in the fourth period before the Chiefs made an 8-0 run to reclaim the lead. Chad Gammad then drilled a triple to pull Letran within three, before Maverick Vinoya’s split from the line off a Denzil Sison-Walker foul gave Arellano some breathing room with 1:08 remaining.

Justin Cargo then trimmed the deficit to one with 41 seconds left, but the Chiefs held off the Knights despite Ongotan missing both of his free throws after a Jimboy Estrada foul.

At the half, Letran held a 48-42 lead.

Walker and Nat Montecillo both attempted three-pointers to give Letran the win, but missed, handing Arellano a first-phase sweep of its fellow Group B teams.

Aside from Ongotan, Karl Flores had 10 points, while Vinoya, Basti Valencia, and Ernjay Geronimo had nine points apiece for the unbeaten Chiefs.

The win spoiled Gammad’s 23-point explosion, while Justin Cargo and Walker added 20 and 10 points, respectively, as the Knights absorbed their first loss after going 3-0 to start the season.

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.

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

—JKC, GMA News