RIC Gallardo of Perpetual Help draws a foul from Keith Agovida of Arellano University. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Drawing superb performances from its “Big Three,” Perpetual Help dumped Arellano, 101-86, yesterday to keep third spot in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Harold Arboleda delivered a career-best 28 points that went with 12 rebounds and seven assists, while Earl Scott Thompson came away with his second triple double of the season for the Altas, who secured their eighth win in 12 games.
Altas gunner Juneric Baloria also waxed hot, notching 26 points, including 14 in the third period, where the Altas outscored the Chiefs, 35-25, to build a comfortable 84-69 lead heading into the final quarter.
The loss denied the Chiefs a share of the lead as they fell to 9-3, just a game ahead of the Altas and the Bombers.
Later, Jose Rizal repulsed Lyceum, 67-43, to tie the Altas at third spot, while sending the Pirates to their third straight defeat.
Philip Paniamogan kept his fiery form with 23 points as the Heavy Bombers relied on a blistering start they sustained in the second half.
Michael Mabulac also registered a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, while limiting Lyceum big man Joseph Gabayni to just five points.
Raring to get back at the Chiefs who dealt them an 85-97 loss in the first round, the Altas gave Arellano a dose of their own medicine, running the fastbreak at every opportunity for easy baskets.
“We controlled the tempo,” said Perpetual Help coach Aric del Rosario whose team tied a season-high output by the Chiefs. “We ran the fastbreak when they slowed the game down and that threw them off their rhythm.”
The Altas’ offense proved fluid, leading to a 48 percent shooting and a season-high 28 assists.
The Chiefs clawed their way back at 80-87 with six minutes remaining, but John Pinto who sparked the comeback was called for his fifth foul. Arboleda knocked in two triples that was followed by another Baloria trey as the Altas wrapped up the win.
The scores:
First Game
PERPETUAL HELP 101—Arboleda 28, Baloria 26, Alano 18, Thompson 11, Gallardo 6, Dizon 6, Jolangcob 4, Ylagan 2, Dagangon 0, Sadiwa 0.
ARELLANO U 86—Pinto 17, Agovida 15, Jalalon 11, Hernandez 10, Enriquez 8, Gumaru 6, Caperal 5, Holts 5, Salcedo 3, Ciriacruz 2, Ortega 2, Palma 2, Bangga 0, Nicholls 0.
Quarters: 23-22, 49-44, 84-69, 101-86
JRU 67—Paniamogan 23, Mabulac 13, Benavides 9, Abdul Wahab 5, Lasquety 5, Grospe 5, Sanchez 4, Teodoro 3, Astilla 0, Salaveria 0, Asuncion 0.
LYCEUM 43—Baltazar 11, Zamora 8, Maconocido 8, Gabayni 5, Bulawan 4, Elmejrab 3, Lesmoras 2, Malabanan 2, Pamulaklakin 0, Soliman 0, Taladua 0, Mbida 0.
Quarters: 18-4, 32-18, 56-34, 67-43