MANILA — Arellano University refused to crumble despite a near-collapse, with the Chiefs dodging a late-game meltdown to escape with a nail-biting 70-69 victory over the University of Perpetual Help Altas in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Playtime FilOil Center in San Juan.
In a game that could reshape the Group A standings, the Chiefs nearly squandered an 18-point halftime lead as the Altas roared back behind a furious second-half charge, trimming the deficit to a single point, 70-69, after a clutch Leobert Casinillo triple with 25 seconds left.
Perpetual still had a golden chance to complete the comeback after Arellano’s Sebastian Valencia and King Vinoya missed four straight free throws, but Mark Gojo Cruz’s attempt at the buzzer bounced off the rim — allowing the Chiefs to cling on and improve to 5-6.
“Sa akin, hindi ko na tinitignan ‘yung twice-to-beat or ‘yung number three, tinitignan ko ‘yung last two games namin. Nawa’y makuha namin, maipanalo namin,” said Arellano head coach Chico Manabat. “Hindi na kami aasa sa panalo ng iba basta kung saan kami dalhin, ready kami.”
T-Mc Ongotan spearheaded Arellano’s early onslaught with 22 points, including three three-pointers, while Renzo Abiera added 16.
Gojo Cruz led the Altas with 14 markers, while John Cedrick Abis and Casinillo chipped in 13 and 10, respectively, as Perpetual absorbed its third straight defeat and slid to 8-4.
LETRAN ROARS BACK TO STOP EAC
In the earlier match, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights unleashed a scorching fourth-quarter attack to dispatch the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 82-73.
Down by 10 in the third period, Letran stormed back behind the combined efforts of Johnsherick Estrada, Nathaniel Montecillo, and Kevin Santos, tying the game at 65-all before taking full control.
EAC briefly went ahead, 67-65, but the Knights went on a knockout run as Chad Gammad drilled three consecutive triples, while Mark Omega and Jun Roque delivered inside punches to seal the win.
Roque paced Letran with 15 points, followed by Gammad with 11. Santos and Deo Cuajao tallied 10 apiece as the Knights climbed to 7-5.
EJ Castillo fired 23 points for the Generals, while Jude Bagay and Aldeo Lucero added 13 and 12 as EAC slipped to 4-7./PN
