Chiefs stun Blazers behind T-Mc

T-Mc Ongotan posted a career-high 28 points as Arellano University delivered a shocking 72-67 victory over College of Saint Benilde for its third win in Season 101 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Ongotan went 10-of-23 from the field as he eclipsed his previous-best 21 points, giving Chiefs one of their biggest wins of the season.

Coming off a painful 74-83 loss to Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), the Bulan, Sorsogon native said he is happy head coach Chico Manabat gave him full trust when the game was on the line.

“Coach always reminds me that I need to close the game. I didn’t waste my coaches’ trust in me,” said Ongotan, whose previous-best 21 points happened in Season 100.

“The emotions and setbacks against EAC were our fuel for us to get the big fish.”

Ongotan made sure his career-high will be associated with a victory.

Holding onto a slim 69-67 lead with 33.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Ongotan drove past Shawn Umali and sank a floater, converted on a bonus free throw to make it a three-point play for Arellano.

Helping Ongotan on the Arellano offense was Sebastian Valencia, who finished with nine points, five rebounds, two assists and a block to fuel the Chiefs to a 3-3 card in Group A.

Justine Sanchez led the Blazers with 16 points, but it wasn’t enough as they dropped to a 3-2 slate in Group B.

Meanwhile, EAC snagged its second straight win at the expense of San Sebastian College, 86-71, in the first game.

Wilmar Oftana had a double-double for the Generals, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds as they now hold a 3-3 card in Group B.

Stags big man Jhuniel Dela Rama’s monster double-double of 20 points and 15 boards went down the drain as they now have a 1-5 record in Group A.