By MARK REY MONTEJO
T-Mc Ongotan showed nerves of steel as Arellano Univeresity pulled the rug from under defending champion Mapua, 62-58, to secure the quarterfinal bonus in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City Friday, Nov. 21.
With the Cardinals opening the fourth with a scorching 9-0 run for a 54-45 lead, Ongotan, 22, took over and sparked the Chiefs’ counter, scoring eight of his 15 points, including two pressure-packed free throws that sealed their stirring comeback.
The 5-foot-9 sweet-shooting guard from Bulan, Sorsogon also collected six rebounds, three assists, one block and four steals, while Abiera and Ernjay Geronimo chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Escamis had a quiet four points, while Drex Delos Reyes topscored for Mapua with 13 points. Cyril Gonzales and JC Recto uncorked nine points apiece in a losing cause.
Aside from posting its third straight win to improve at 7-6, Arellano snatched the quarters incentive as it won with four-point advantage to climb to second spot, while Mapua held the similar record and fell at third in Group A.
Just above Arellano and Mapua is Perpetual (8-4) got a hold of the first quarters twice-to-beat advantage as it currently sits atop of their bracket.
The Chiefs also exacted their revenge after bowing to the Cardinals, 90-87, behind Clint Escamis’ 29-point bomb, in their first duel last Oct. 4, at the same arena.
The scores:
ARELLANO 62 – Ongotan 15, Abiera 12, Geronimo 10, Valencia 8, Libang 4, Hernal 4, Demetria 4, Buenaventura 3, Vinoya 2, Borromeo 0, Camay 0, Langit 0, Cabotaje 0, Acop 0.
MAPÚA 58 – Delos Reyes 13, Gonzales 9, Recto 9, Cuenco 7, Sapasap 6, Concepcion 5, Escamis 4, Nitura 3, Igliane 2, Lazarte 0, Ryan 0, Callangan 0.
Quarters: 14-20, 25-33, 45-45, 62-58.
