The Chiefs crowd screamed at the top of their lungs after an intense battle between the Arellano University Chiefs and EAC Generals in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament this September 22, 2026. This marks a massive breakthrough as the dedicated Chiefs finally broke the wall of the EAC Generals under the leadership of Coach Chico Manabat, finishing with a thrilling 91-87 victory!
T-MC Ongotan delivered a dominant performance and was rightfully named Player of the Game, racking up 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, going 6/7 from the free-throw line, and 9/16 from the field.
The action was tight right from the opening whistle, as both squads locked in on defense. However, Anthony Borromeo ignited the crowd with a cold-blooded buzzer-beating three-pointer to close out the first quarter ahead 25-24, giving Arellano early momentum. The intensity surged in the second quarter, but the Chiefs doubled down on their aggressive drives to hold a 47-44 edge at halftime, fueled by strong offensive plays from T-MC Ongotan, Basti Valencia, and team captain Maverick Vinoya. While EAC tightened its defense in the third period, the Chiefs maintained their composure and kept the gap at a mere two points, 68-70, entering the final quarter.
The final minute was pure high intensity! Borromeo delivered a sharp assist to Basti Valencia, who drained a huge three-pointer with just 40 seconds left to give Arellano a crucial one-point lead. T-MC then shredded the EAC defense with a powerful, unstoppable drive in the final 15 seconds to stretch the lead, followed by a clutch free throw from Ernjay Geronimo to seal the epic win!
Big congratulations to Coach Chico and the entire Chiefs on an unforgettable victory. This heart-pounding win proves what the team is capable of when the pressure is on. As the Chiefs gear up for their next battle, the road ahead is clear—one game at a time, all the way to the championship. The Arellano University family is always behind the team every step of the way to the top. Keep fighting, Chiefs!
- Heaven Joy Prado
Comments