Friday, October 4, 2024, the Arellano University Chiefs were set to meet the number one team in the NCAA Season 100 standings, the College of Saint Benilde Blazers. Though at the opposite end of the standings, the Chiefs were determined to end their first round on a high note, accounting for 2 overtimes with EAC and LPU, and the rest with close calls.
The first quarter started shaky with the Blazers leading 5-0 and the Chiefs struggling to sink in their free throws. It wasn’t until team captain Basti Valencia got the ball rolling with a three-point shot did the Chiefs start to gain their rhythm. Their man-to-man defensive strategies made it difficult for the Blazers to score. Leading the defensive charge were rookies AG Borromeo and Maverick Vinoya, and sophomore Ernjay Geronimo. Rookie CJ Libang took advantage of second chance points along with Basti Valencia’s aggressive offense. The quarter ended with the Chiefs leading 23-11.
The second quarter started with the Blazers starting off hot. However, the defense of the AU Chiefs, along with the offense of T-mc Ongotan, kept them afloat. The Blazers kept their offense aggressive; the Chiefs responded in both offense and defense, keeping the Blazers in check. The thrilling quarter ended 40-39, in favor of the Chiefs.
At the half, the Blazers dominated with 30 rebounds to the Chiefs’ 11. Both teams struggled to get a basket, with both teams scoreless for the first few minutes of the quarter. It wasn’t until T-mc Ongotan’s steal to the bucket that the Chiefs started to gain their offensive rhythm. The Blazers and Chiefs were neck-to-neck all throughout the quarter, until the Blazers made their run, leading by as much as 7 points. The third quarter ended with Ernjay Geronimo hitting the thrilling three-point buzzer-beater shot. The score was 56-58 in favor of the Blazers.
The fourth quarter had an intense atmosphere. Renzo Abiera hit a three-pointer, cutting the Blazers’ lead to a single point. A block by Cyril Hernal led to a steal for a fast break point by Ernjay Geronimo. the Blazers kept at their aggressive offense, which kept the game at a deadlock. Maverick Vinoya hit a crucial three-pointer, giving the Chiefs the two-point lead with 3 minutes left in the quarter. The last two minutes of the game were intense, with the Chiefs leading by two-points. A crucial turnover by the Blazers allowed Ernjay Geronimo to drill in a cold-blooded jumper, giving the Chiefs a two-possession advantage with 29.6 seconds left in the game. The game ended with the Chiefs’ strong defense led by Maverick Vinoya. The final score was 73-71 in favor of the Chiefs.
Arellano 73 – Ongotan 16, Geronimo 14, Abiera 10, Capulong 8, Valencia 8, Vinoya 7, Hernal 5, Libang 4, Borromeo 1, Dela Cruz 0, Camay 0
Quarter scores: 23-11, 40-39, 56-58, 73-71