Akhuetie shines Bright with 44, lifts Altas past Blazers

HE WAS a man among boys.

Bright Akhuetie delivered one of the most dominant performances in recent NCAA basketball history to power Perpetual Help to a 77-69 whipping of St. Benilde yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The 6-foot-8, 18-year-old Nigerian bullied his way to 44 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in an astonishing show that lifted the Altas to a share of the lead with idle San Beda and Letran, which brought down Jose Rizal U, 78-62.

A day after Letran announced the appointment of Manny Pacquiao as their team manager, the Knights flashed inspired form, breaking away from a tight contest in the second half.

Rey Nambatac fired 25 points, including four triples, while Kevin Racal had 15 points for the Knights (1-1).

Earlier, Arellano slipped past Lyceum, 80-78, as Jiovani Jalalon fired 20 points and issued 12 assists. The Chiefs also got a huge lift from Zachary Nicholls who shot five triples.

Finally free from an ankle injury that bothered him in the 70-61 triumph over Lyceum, Akhuetie showed his offensive arsenal to send the Blazers down to their second straight loss.

By halftime, Akhuetie already had 27 points. The Blazers never got closer than seven points, 55-48, as the Nigerian capped his show with a couple of dunks in the final period.

The scores:

First Game

ARELLANO 80—Jalalon 20, Nicholls 16, Salado 10. Meca 8, Enriquez 6, Cadavis 6, Bangga 4, Holts 4, Tano 4, Ortega 2, Capara 0, Ongolo 0, Zamora 0.

LYCEUM 78—Gabayni 20, Alanes 20, Ayaay 10, Nguidjol 8, Lacastesantos 6, Mbida 5, Lugo 3, Marata 2, Taladua 2, Bulawan 2, Malabanan 0. Baltazar 0, Soliman 0.

Quarters: 29-17, 51-35, 68-59, 80-78.

Second Game

PERPETUAL HELP 77—Akhuetie 44, Thompson 14, Coronel 8, Oliveria 4, Ylagan 4, Dagangon 3, Dizon 0, Gallardo 0, Sadiwa 0, Tamayo 0, Cabiltes 0, Pido 0.

ST. BENILDE 69—Ongteco 23, Grey 18, Jonson 9, Domingo 9, Fajarito 3, Nayve 2, Castor 2, Saavedra 2, San Juan 1.

Quarters: 17-11, 40-28, 55-48, 77-69

Third Game

LETRAN  78—Nambatac 25, Racal 15, Cruz 12, Sollano 10, Quinto 6, Calvo 3, Luib 3, Apreku 2, Balanza 2, Balagasay 0.

JRU 62—Pontejos 11, Abdulwahab 11, Sanchez 10, Grospe 9, Dela Paz 8, Lasquety 6, Balagtas 4, Teodoro 3, Poutouchi 0, Aurin 0, dela Virgen 0.

Quarters: 14-13, 40-36, 63-49, 78-62