The Arellano University Chiefs never allowed the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags to take control, securing a commanding 82-66 victory in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament on Monday, October 7, at the Playtime FilOil Centre.
Even without T-Mac Ongotan, who previously tallied 10 points against defending champions Mapua Cardinals, the Chiefs showed no signs of slowing down. Renzo Abiera orchestrated a flawless performance, pouring in 19 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting night. King Vinoya and Anjord Cabotaje added 15 points each.
Arellano trailed early in the first quarter, 12-16, but quickly turned the game around. Cabotaje sparked an eight-point streak with a stunning three-pointer from beyond the arc, giving the Chiefs a 20-16 edge and setting the tone for the rest of the game.
By halftime, the Chiefs had extended their lead to 48-36, thanks to Vinoya’s free throws and Valencia’s offensive rebound that led to crucial points. From there, the Legarda-based squad maintained their momentum, cruising to a 16-point win.
"What’s beautiful here is that every player and every coach is doing the work," said Coach Chico Manabat in an interview.
"Sometimes, it’s not about how many wins you get but about winning the right way—and at the right time."
Meanwhile, the Arellano Braves showcased their own brand of dominance, defeating the SSC-R Staglets, 92-61.
A tight first half set the stage, but the Braves’ aggressive offense and lockdown defense in the second half allowed them to pull away. A key three-pointer by Tagorda helped the team surge ahead by as much as 21 points, maintaining their momentum en route to a convincing win.
Chris Dy led the charge with a near triple-double performance: 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists on 7-of-11 shooting. John Ray Ladica contributed 16 points along with four assists and a couple of steals, while John Denver Baluyot came off the bench to add 12 points. Sean Franco also impressed with 12 points and eight rebounds.
With both the Chiefs and Braves now standing at 1-1, the AU squads are looking to ride this momentum into their next showdown against the UPHSD Altas on Saturday, October 11.
- Carlo T. Arsula
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