Builders Lapu-Lapu City Heroes to a 61-55 win over the Tubigon Bohol Mariners in the last game of the first round of eliminations of the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup on Wednesday night, April 21, 2021, held at the Alcantara Civic Center in Alcantara town, southwestern Cebu.
Down two, 53-55, to a hungry Mariners squad that was looking for its first win of the tournament, Arong found himself open in the corner and sank a booming three-pointer to give ARQ the lead, 56-55, with 1:22 left in the game. The next time down the floor, Arong drove hard down the right-wing and converted on an acrobatic layup to give ARQ a 60-55 advantage with 17 seconds remaining in the match.
Arong was wrongfully accused and got suspended for allegedly being involved in the controversial game that happened on April 14, 2021. It was his teammate, Franz Arong, who was supposed to be suspended and slapped with a fine.“Very good morale-boosting win for us, especially after [what happened to us] last week,” said Heroes assistant coach Jerry Abuyabor. “Malaking panalo ito para sa amin heading into the second round na hindi kami papasok ng tatlong sunod-sunod na talo.