San juan: Arellano University stunned defending champion Mapua University, 62-58, Friday in the NCAA Season 101 men's basketball tournament at the San Juan Arena, earning a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinal round. Jeadan T-MC Ongotan delivered 15 points, six rebounds, four steals, three assists, and a block as the Chiefs finished the eliminations with a 7-6 win-loss card in Group A.
According to Philippines News Agency, coach Chico Manabat praised both the coaches and players, acknowledging their hard work and determination. Manabat shared, "I'll give the coaches and players credit. We really worked hard on this because as soon as I walked in, they immediately said, 'Coach, we want to win.'" He also noted the team's ability to handle pressure, attributing their success to the players' maturity.
Despite sharing a 7-6 record with Arellano, Mapua University fell short due to their four-point loss to the Chiefs. In their first encounter, Mapua managed a narrow three-point victory over Arellano, 90-87. As a result, Arellano has the potential to face Group B's third seed, Letran, which holds a 7-5 slate, in the quarterfinals.
Renzo Abiera and Ernest John Geronimo made significant contributions to the Chiefs' victory. Abiera added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Geronimo scored 10 points. Arellano was trailing 25-33 at halftime, but they managed to level the score to 45-all by the end of the third quarter.
On the other side, Drex Delos Reyes of Mapua Cardinals recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Teammates Cyril Rey Gonzales and John Christopher Recto supported with nine points each, but their efforts were not enough to secure a win for the Cardinals.
