MANILA – Arellano University Chiefs connected timely hits in the endgame to defeat Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 81-77, in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
With the score tied at 77-apiece, Arellano’s Jaedan Ongotan knocked down two free throws after being fouled by a Heavy Bombers player for a 79-77 advantage with 55.5 seconds left.
Following consecutive misses from the Heavy Bombers’ side, Basti Valencia converted a game-sealing jumper with 12 seconds remaining to widen the Chiefs’ advantage to 81-77.
Valencia top-scored for the Chiefs with 25 points, Ongotan added 17 markers, while Ernest Geronimo and Lorenz Capulong ended with 12 and 10, respectively, as they improved to a 6-9 win-loss slate.
“Minsan winning is not everything kundi kung papaano namin nagawa ‘yung culture na gusto namin sa program, and step by step magbubunga rin talaga,” Chiefs head coach Chico Manabat said in a post-game interview.
“Right now, nandun kami sa time na kailangan naming maging consistent, ‘yung will to win nakukuha na rin namin,” he added. “Talagang head-to-head din ‘yung labanan namin ng JRU, nakuha lang namin ‘yung fourth quarter.”
Joshua Guiab finished with 20 points to lead the Heavy Bombers, while Shaun Argente and Mart James Barrera added 15 and 14 markers, respectively, as they dropped to a 4-11 record.
Meanwhile, Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates leaned on Renz Villegas’ career game to defeat the San Sebastian College Golden Stags, 93-85, and remain in Final Four contention.
Villegas tallied a career-high of 25 points, John Barba added 20 points on 58.3% shooting, while Simon Peñafiel contributed 10 markers as the Pirates snapped their three-game losing skid for a 7-8 win-loss slate.
“’Yung three losses namin, that’s the past, eh, ang importante kasi ‘yung now. Kung ano ‘yung meron kami ngayon, which is yung San Sebastian,” Pirates head coach Gilbert Malabanan said after the game./PN
