Arellano University snapped its three-game losing streak while stopping the hot run of San Sebastian College with a 78-71 win in Season 101 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

T-Mc Ongotan dropped 25 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals as the Chiefs strengthened their position in the third spot with a 4-6 win-loss record in Group A.

In the second game, rookie Sean Salvador scored a career-high 24 points as Jose Rizal University (JRU) survived Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), 69-66.

Salvador went 8-of-13 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds as the Heavy Bombers improved to a 6-5 record in Group B.

Kyle Ochavo fired 19 points, five boards and five assists to lead the Generals, who suffered their second straight loss.

Arellano coach Chico Manabat said they were successful in stopping the Golden Stags bannered by rookie Jhuniel Dela Rama, who towed them to their back-to-back wins over Letran College and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta last week.

“We actually had a different man on him (Dela Rama) and observed where he would score. That way, he won’t be able to read the defense,” Manabat said.

“What is important is we are still in the running for the No. 3 spot and we’d like to compete for the second spot in the group.”

The Chiefs were able to pull off a 12-0 run in the third quarter, capped by a layup by Ongotan with 4:42 remaining in the third quarter, as they held Dela Rama scoreless in the second half.

Still, San Sebastian refused to go down without a fight after Oniel Castor drained a triple with 5:13 left in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to two, 68-70.

However, Renzo Abiera drained a triple with 4:32 left and a midrange jumper from Ongotan in the 3:33 mark made sure the Chiefs walked away with the win.

Abiera dropped 20 points coming off the bench for Arellano while Joseph Hernal had nine points and seven rebounds.

With Dela Rama tightly-defended, Castor picked up the scoring cudgels, firing 19 points for the Stags, who slid to a 3-8 slate in Group A.