Arellano University veterans T-Mc Ongotan (#1) and Basti Valencia (#5) against Emilio Aguinaldo in NCAA Season 102. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.MANILA — Arellano University veterans T-Mc Ongotan and Basti Valencia delivered once again when tested in crunch time, and Chiefs head coach Chico Manabat was hardly surprised.
“Given na sa kanila yan. Alam niyo naman ‘tong dalawa, parang ‘Batman and Robin’ sila,” said Manabat, as Arellano escaped Emilio Aguinaldo College, 91-87, in NCAA Season 102 on Tuesday.
Ongotan tied the game at 84 before Valencia delivered the go-ahead three-pointer later on, and for Manabat, it was a testament to the work his star duo has put in over the years.
“Sila yung mga players ko na last playing years, so sa mga ganitong laro, talagang pina-practice namin yung finishing the game,” he said of the 5-foot-9, 23-year-old Ongotan, who also made the game-sealing drive en route to finishing with 26 points, five rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
What stood out for Ongotan, however, was their balanced approach that helped them outlast EAC despite the Generals going toe-to-toe with them in the fourth period.
“Ine-ensayo namin yung mga ganong moment, and lagi akong nire-remind ni coach na dapat ako yung tatapos ng laro, pero hindi pwedeng iisa lang yung hahawak,” said Ongotan, whose squad banked on five assists in the last period.
‘Pusong Palaban’
While Ongotan and Valencia have been reliable, what Manabat lauds more is how his duo has helped Arellano raise its ceiling, saying they have helped every Chief become more reliable when called upon whether in crunch time or not.
“Sinusuklian naman nila yung trust na binibigay ko sa kanila,” he said. “Yung togetherness at cohesion ng team, andoon na.”
And as Arellano hopes to heal the heartbreak of its past — with the Chiefs previously squandering their twice-to-beat edge against Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the quarterfinals of NCAA Season 101 to miss the Final Four — Manabat said they will continue to rely on the squad that has been elevated by Ongotan and Valencia.
“‘Pag sinabing Arellano, pusong palaban,” he said. “Other teams need talent, but ang kailangan namin togetherness. Mas importante, makapag-develop kami ng players.”
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