Arellano Chiefs tightened its hold on third place in Group A after outlasting top-seeded UPHSD Altas in a narrow 70–69 victory, pulling off a dramatic one-point escape in the NCAA Season 101 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Playtime Filoil Centre.
The victory marked the Chiefs’ first back-to-back win of the season, improving their record to 5-6 and creating crucial separation from LPU Pirates and SSC-R Golden Stags.
The Chiefs surged early, establishing control behind the scoring of T-Mc Ongotan and King Vinoya to grab a 28-20 lead after the opening quarter. Arellano capitalized on Perpetual’s turnovers and missed jumpers in the second period, stretching the gap to an estimated 16 points by halftime.
The Altas refused to fold, mounting a furious 12-0 run in the third quarter ignited by Patrick Sleat and Mark Gojo Cruz to trim the deficit to single digits. Renzo Abierra responded for the Chiefs, drilling a three-pointer and steadying the offense to help preserve a 55-47 cushion heading into the fourth.
Arellano restored a double-digit advantage, 68-58, with 3:41 remaining after baskets from Ongotan and Sebastian Valencia. Perpetual once again threatened, unleashing a 9-0 run capped by an LA Casinillo corner triple that cut the lead to 70-69 with 25 seconds left.
The Chiefs then missed four consecutive free throws, opening a golden opportunity for the Altas to steal the game. However, John Abis missed a close-range attempt, and Gojo Cruz’s potential game-winning three bounced off the rim as the buzzer sounded.
“Actually, ‘yang free throw na ‘yan, minumulto kami lagi niyan,” Chiefs head coach Chico Manabat said with a laugh. “Ni-remind lang namin na lamang tayo, and then ‘yung preparation namin nagtugma naman [especially] ‘yung free throw.”
Manabat also praised the performances of Ongotan and Abierra. “Sana tuloy-tuloy na silang maglaro ng ganyan, especially with two games left.” he added. “Kulang man kami sa talent or height, depensa ang susi. Our offensive and defensive system has to hold para tama ang mangyari.”
Ongotan powered Arellano with 22 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Abierra delivered 16 points, four rebounds, an assist, and a steal. The Chiefs aim to extend their winning streak to three when they face the LPU Pirates on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Meanwhile, the AU Braves secured an 85-75 victory over the UPHSD Junior Altas to rise to 7-4, pulling even with defending champion Mapua atop Group A of the NCAA Season 101 Juniors’ Basketball Tournament.
The Braves struggled early, falling behind 10-2 and later 18-10 as Perpetual dictated the tempo in the first quarter. A momentum-shifting sequence from Seann Franco, who buried a three and completed a free throw, cut the lead to 14-18. Ray Ladica later scored on a strong drive to tie the game at 23-all heading into the second frame.
The second quarter turned into a tight exchange, with both teams trading baskets and neither leading by more than two points. Arellano tightened its defense in the closing minute, and a Manansala drive pushed the Braves ahead 49-43 at halftime.
Chris Dy sparked an early-third-quarter surge that widened the lead to 62-48 before Perpetual answered with a run to trim it to 64-59. Manansala struck again to restore a 66-59 edge entering the fourth.
The Junior Altas opened the final period with a triple to cut the gap to 66-62, but Dy responded with a three of his own to keep the Braves in control. Arellano held an 81-71 advantage entering the final two minutes, and although Perpetual trimmed it to 81-75 in just 30 seconds, the Braves sealed the win as Axel Mendoza converted a crucial basket and sank a free throw.
Seann Franco finished with 20 points, eight boards, two assists, and three blocks. Ray Ladica added 17 points, seven rebounds, two steals, two assists, and a block, while Axel Mendoza chipped in 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and a steal to keep Arellano firmly in the Group A race as the second round intensifies.
Both Legarda-based squads return to action on Wednesday at the same venue against the LPU Pirates, as they each look to secure another crucial win in Group A competition.
- Carlo T. Arsula