Veterans Ongotan, Valencia lift Arellano past EAC

Arellano leaned to the heroics of its veterans Basty Valencia and T-Mc Ongotan in their 91-87 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College in Group B of the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Tuesday.

The sweet-shooting duo propelled the Chiefs to a 2-0 record after knocking down the clutch buckets in the offing.

“Lagi kong sinasabi na last year ko na ‘to, gusto ko talaga na bago matapos ‘tong career ko sa Arellano, may maiitatabi ako sa AU community,” said Ongotan.

The Generals led Arellano by three in the fourth quarter, 84-81, when Ongotan sank the left-corner triple to tie the game at 84-all with 3:12 to go in the game.

A couple of back and forths allowed EAC to return to the driver’s seat, 87-85, but Valencia this time became Arellano’s saving grace after sinking a three-ball of his own to put the Chiefs up, 88-87, with 40.2 remaining.

Before the Generals can respond, Ongotan nailed the door shut on EAC with a short stab that gave Arellano a three-point cushion down the stretch, 90-87, with 12.8 ticks left.

Ongotan ended up with 26 points, five rebounds and three assists while Valencia turned in 14 markers and six boards. Also helping the Chiefs to the finish line was King Vinoya, who had 15 to his name in the win.

Jude Bagay nearly registered a double-double with 16 points and eight rebounds while Kyle Ochavo had 15 for EAC. MJ Raymundo and Jacob Shanoda also tallied 14 markers each in the defeat that kept the Generals winless after two games.