Arellano University slowed down a run-and-gun San Sebastian College, 87-73, on Sunday and claimed its breakthrough first victory in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
Jeadan Ongotan, a native of Bulan, Sorsogon, came through with one of his best games thus far with 21 points, five rebounds and the same number of assists as the Chiefs finally broke through the win column after dropping their first four outings of the season.
AU had actually come close from breaking the ice in several of those losses but eventually faltered in the head.
But on this particular day, AU summoned everything it had to hold on to the victory that it hoped would start something big for the team.
The game also produced heroes in Lorenz Capulong, who had a double-double effort of 12 points and 10 boards, and the duo of Cyril Hernal and Troy Valencia, who chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
It was the Stags’ third straight defeat that sent them from being unbeaten and at the helm once to the bottom half of the standings with a 2-3 card.
Meanwhile, Vince Santos picked the right time to shine as he lifted Letran to a 71-69 shocker of a pace-setting College of St. Benilde Sunday in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
Bricking his first five attempts, Santos buried the only one that mattered—an undergoal stab off nifty Nat Montecillo feed—as the Knights came back from 14 points down to steal the win—their third in five outings.
That put the Muralla-based dribblers back in the magic four and back in the running for a Final Four spot.
“I just told them to keep the game close para pagdating sa dulo, we have a chance,” said Letran coach Allen Ricardo.
And that opportunity came in the final 13 seconds that was signed, sealed and delivered by the most unusual of sources—Santos.
The Blazers fell to their first defeat after roaring to four straight victories and straight to the top.
Games Tuesday (Filoil EcoOil Arena)
11 a.m.- UPHSD vs SSC-R
2:30 p.m.- LPU vs Mapua
