Arellano University clinched the last twice-to-beat advantage in Group A after beating Mapua University, 62-58, in Season 101 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

T-Mc Ongotan fired 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and four steals as the Chiefs finished the preliminary round with a 7-6 win-loss record.

Despite sharing the same card with the Cardinals, Arellano gets the upperhand after its four-point win.

Mapua only won by three, 90-87, on 4 October.

Head coach Chico Manabat lauded his wards’ hunger and determination to get the playoff bonus.

“Credit to the coaches and the players. They really wanted this, that when I entered the dugout, the players told me: ‘Coach, we want to win,’” Manabat said.

“I think the boys enjoyed the pressure. They were able to handle it well because their maturity was there.”

Arellano will most likely face Letran College, the third seed in Group B with a 7-5 card, in the crossover quarterfinal on 25 November.

The Chiefs victory also gave University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, which has an 8-4 record, the top seeding in Group A.