Arellano University is finally coming alive in the latter part of NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball, thanks to the efforts of T-Mc Ongotan.
The star guard powered the Chiefs to well-deserved victories over the surging San Sebastian College-Recoletos and the league-leading University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, earning him the Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) NCAA Player of the Week award presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for the period of November 12 to 17.
Ongotan first led Arellano to a 78–71 victory over the Golden Stags and last week’s POW recipient Jhuniel Dela Rama last November 12, finishing with 25 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block
Four days later, he delivered yet another masterful performance, lifting the Chiefs over Group A leader Perpetual, 70–69. Ongotan’s relentlessness was on full display as he tallied 22 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one block, further proving his role as one of the team’s go-to players.
“Nagpapasalamat ako kay Lord na nakuha namin ‘yung panalo. ‘Yung system, ‘yun lang sinunod namin kasi ‘pag mga crucial game talaga, sabi ni coach [Chico Manabat] d’un dapat kami pumunta,” the all-around cager said.
“Ginagawa namin sa ensayo ‘yun. Kumbaga, ‘pag mga crucial game, d’un dapat ‘di nagsasarili,” he added Ongotan, who is this season’s first NCAA player to earn the weekly nod twice.
The back-to-back wins have lifted the determined squad from Legarda to a 5–6 record, keeping their hopes alive for a twice-to-beat incentive in the latter stretch of the elimination round.
Ongotan’s strong performances bested other contenders such as teammate Renzo Abiera, College of Saint Benilde’s Ian Torres, Mapua University’s Clint Escamis, and San Beda University’s Janti Miller for the weekly citation, supported by minor sponsors Discovery Suites and Buffalo Wings N’ Things, and voted upon by print and online scribes covering the collegiate sports beat.
