Arellano University erased a double-digit deficit before igniting late to stun Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 72-69, in the NCAA Season 98 on Sunday.
Arellano entered the fourth quarter trailing by nine but outscored Letran 25-13 over the last 10 minutes to pick up the upset win over the defending champions.
The Chiefs, who improved to 3-1, snapped the Knights' 14-game winning streak that dates back to their 2019 title run.
With the loss, Letran dropped to an even 1-1 slate.
Cade Flores led Arellano with 18 points, including two triples, and nine rebounds.
Axel Doromal added 14 markers while William Oftana, who hit three three-pointers in the second period, finished with 13. Joshua Abastillas reached double figures with 10 points, eight of those coming in the crucial fourth period.
Neither team got their offense going in the first half with Letran shooting 40.6 from the field while Arellano had just 25 percent percentage as the Knights held a slim 34-30 lead at the break.
But thanks to the Letran vets, the Knights established enough cushion in the third, which ended with them ahead by nine, 56-47.
Arellano then rode on a huge 16-2 run to uncork the fourth as Flores made it a 63-58 spread for the Chiefs with 5:03 left.
Back-to-back baskets from Abastillas had Arellano enjoying 67-60 advantage before that turned to 67-64 courtesy of two consecutive buckets from King Caralipio.
Fran Yu then was fouled at the three-point area but only managed to shot two free throws as Doromal split his charities to seal the upset victory.
Kurt Reyson also had the chance to tie the game but he could not repeat his late-game heroics from their win against JRU.
Letran got a huge effort from Louie Sangalang, who posted 19 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, and a block, but that was not enough in this game.
Arellano returns on Wednesday against Jose Rizal University while Letran takes on De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde on Friday.
The scores:
Arellano 72 - Flores 18, Doromal 14, Oftana 13, Abastillas 10, Menina 7, Talampas 4, Mantua 2, Mallari 2, Sunga 2, Tolentino 0, Oliva 0.
Letran 69 - Sangalang 19, Caralipio 16, Paraiso 8, Yu 8, Javillonar 8, Santos 3, Guarinio 3, Reyson 2, Ariar 2, Olivario 0, Tolentino 0, Monje 0, Miclat 0, Lantaya 0.
Quarters: 12-11, 30-34, 47-56, 72-69.
