Scottie Thompson stars anew for Perpetual Help. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Reigning league MVP Earl Scottie Thompson and Nigerian big man Bright Akhuetie showed the way as Perpetual slipped past Jose Rizal University, 86-83, in an overtime classic to cap its first round campaign in the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at San Juan Arena.
Thompson weathered the pain from his high ankle sprain and recorded another triple-double—his third of the season—of 13 points, 13 rebounds, and a career-high 17 assists to go with three steals.
READ: Perpetual Help’s Thompson a game-time decision vs JRU
Akhuetie, meanwhile, came alive in the overtime period to lead Perpetual with 31 markers, 10 in the extra period, 12 boards, three assists, two steals, and two blocks.
“Mahirap talaga kalaban ang JRU kasi kita mo naman ang dami nilang shooter. Huli na, nakascore at nakatabla pa,” said Perpetual coach Aric del Rosario whose Altas ended the first round on a three-game winning run.
(It’s really tough to face JRU because they have a lot of shooters. In the end, they were still able to score and tie the game.)
READ: Thompson wants father to retire if he makes a career in PBA
Dave Sanchez forced the overtime by nailing a booming three over the outstretched hands of Nestor Bantayan to knot the score at 73 with 1.2 left in regulation.
But the Heavy Bombers had no answer for the one-two punch of Thompson and Akhuetie late, as the duo took over and helped Perpetual claim solo third spot at 7-2.
Despite yet another brilliant from Thompson, he exited the game with 8.7 ticks remaining after suffering from back spasms.
Tey Teodoro captained JRU (5-4) with 28 points on a 3-of-7 shooting from threes, to go with six rebounds and four assists while Paolo Pontejos got 14 in the defeat.
The Scores:
PERPETUAL 86 – Akhuetie 31, Thompson 13, Ylagan 10, Coronel 10, Elopre 8, Eze 7, Dizon 2, Bantayan 2, Cabiltes 2, Oliveria 1, Tamayo 0, Gallardo 0, Sadiwa 0.
JRU 83 – Teodoro 28, Pontejos 14, Sanchez 11, Grospe 8, Dela Paz 6, Abdulwahab 5, Cruz 4, Poutouochi 4, Dela Virgen 3, Astilla 0, Estrella 0.
Quarters: 18-18, 33-34, 54-53, 73-73, 86-83.