KEVIN Oliveria of Perpetual and Happi Noube of EAC fight for the rebound in yesterday’s match at Filoil Flying V Arena. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
SUSTAINING his superb play, Earl Thompson dished out the first triple double in three seasons as Perpetual Help turned back Emilio Aguinaldo College, 73-65, last night to seize a share of top spot in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Reaping the rewards of working extra hours in the gym, Thompson shot 15 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and handed out 12 assists as the Altas rolled to a third straight victory and tie the San Beda Red Lions at top spot.
The Altas unleashed a strong second quarter, before Thompson and Harold Arboleda bailed them out with clutch baskets when the Generals mounted a late surge.
Thompson came into the game averaging 26.5 points in his first two outings. But a conscious effort to flash different facets of his game led to one of the finest matches of his career.
“My mindset was not to look for points but play better defense, get rebounds and set up my teammates,” said Thompson who notched the first triple double in the league since San Sebastian’s Calvin Abueva pulled off the feat against Mapua in 2012.
“That’s the reward he gets for working hard,” said coach Aric del Rosario, referring to Thompson. “He’s been a good example to his teammates because of his work ethic.”
Juneric Baloria topscored with 18 points for the Altas who posted their biggest lead at 51-30 on Arboleda’s trey midway in the third.
The Generals last threatened at 55-62 when Faustine Pascual buried a jumper with 5:02 remaining. Thompson found Arboleda for a triple and got a split from the free throw line, before Justin Alano scored on an undergoal stab to restore order for the Altas, 68-55, with 3:14 left.
Earlier, San Sebastian survived a late St. Benilde surge to come away with a 74-72 victory.
The Stags heaved a huge sigh of relief when Jonathan Grey missed a potential game winning triple at the buzzer, allowing them to improve to 3-1.
It was a tough final seven minutes for the Stags who couldn’t buy a basket and were only bailed out by made five free throws.
“We knew our strength is inside so we try to pound it in as much as we can and get those free throws if we couldn’t make baskets,” said San Sebastian coach Topex Robinson who led by as many as 13 points in the second half.
Rookie Rhanzelle Yong fired a career best 16 points on an impressive seven-of-10 shooting clip that went with eight boards and a block.
The scores:
First Game
SAN SEBASTIAN 74—Dela Cruz 18, Yong 16, Perez 15, Guinto 13, Ortuoste 10, Fabian 2, Balucanag 0, Calisaan 0, Costelo 0, Aquino 0
ST. BENILDE 72—Romero 17, Nayve 13, Grey 9, Bartolo 7, Taha 6, Ongteco 6, Sinco 4, Argamino 2, Saavedra 0.
Quarters: 20-22, 40-38, 63-52, 74-72
Second Game
PERPETUAL HELP 73—Baloria 18, Thompson 15, Arboleda 15, Alano 10, Gallardo 4, Dagangon 4, Dizon 3, Bantayan 2, Sadiwa 2, Oliveria 0, Jolangcob 0.
EAC 65—Jamon 15, Happi 14, Aguilar 11, Arquero 6, Tayongtong 5, Pascual 4, Onwubere 4, King 3, Mejoa 3, Santos 0, Serrano 0, Saludo 0.
Quarters: 12-13, 35-20, 59-44, 73-65