4 days ago
T-mc Ongotan steers Arellano past LPU; Mikey Cortez stars late in DLSU win vs. NU
T-mc Ongotan saved the day for the surging Arellano University, gutting out a narrow 78-76 win against Lyceum of the Philippines University in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Wednesday.
The versatile guard buried the game-winning layup off his own defensive rebound to give the Chiefs a slim two-point lead in the final 56 seconds of the fourth quarter.
The Pirates had several chances to tie or seize the lead, but back-to-back turnovers proved costly, allowing Arellano to pull away and secure its third straight win for a 4–3 record.
Ongotan tallied 10 points laced with three rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block while Charles Libang chipped in 11 markers, six boards, and a steal as Arellano.
The win marked Arellano's third straight upset over NCAA Season 100 Final Four teams, having previously taken down defending champion Mapúa University and perennial contender San Beda University.
Meanwhile, De La Salle University averted a collapse with a 69-64 escape victory against National University to preserve its unbeaten slate in the preseason showcase.
The Green Archers nearly wasted a 13-point deficit, but hung tough behind timely baskets from Mikey Cortez, the younger brother of transferee Jacob, as they went 3-0 in the UAAP bracket.
Cortez sank the layup that gave the reigning UAAP champions a slim 63-59 lead before burying a massive three-pointer off a cross-court pass from Mason Amos to make it a five-point cushion in the final 28 seconds.
Kean Baclaan then sealed it from the stripe to deal his former team its second straight loss. Baclaan top-scored with 18 points while the older Cortez chipped in 11 markers, five rebounds, and two steals.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
