NCAA: Altas lose Akhuetie in blowout win over Pirates

Perpetual Help’s Bright Akhuetie hurt his shoulder late in the second quarter of the Altas’ lopsided win over the Lyceum Pirates Tuesday night. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER,net

University of Perpetual Help made easy picking of Lyceum, 70-42, on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Earl Scottie Thompson posted his fourth triple-double of the season with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists for the Altas, who hiked their record to 8-3.

“Nakakahiya yung nangyari sa amin sa Mapua. Lesson yun para sa amin,” said coach Aric del Rosario, whose wards bounced back from a sorry loss against the Cardinals last week. “Ang basketball, kahit mahina ang kalaban mo, pag minaliit, matatalo ka. At least, nagising sila.”

(What happened to us in Mapua was really embarrassing. It was a lesson for us. In basketball, even if your opponent is weak, if you underestimate them, you’ll lose. At least, it served as a wakeup call for them.)

The Altas, though, lost one of their star players to injury during the game after Bright Akhuetie hurt his left shoulder just before halftime after a rebound play against Jean Nguidjol.

Akhuetie had to be stretchered off the floor but was able to return on the bench to watch the rest of the game.

The Altas blew the game wide open in the second quarter – outscoring the Pirates – 23-9 to take a 40-20 halftime lead. They continued to pour it on the Pirates building stretching their lead to as high as 28 late in the fourth quarter.

Prince Eze led the Altas with a double-double of 18 markers and 19 rebounds that went with six blocks while GJ Ylagan also sizzled with a career-high 15 points, all on threes.

Perpetual Help had its way scoring but the team’s defense was as impressive as its offense in limiting Lyceum to a season-low 42 points.

Jebb Bulawan led Lyceum (3-8) with 13 points and 10 rebounds, as Shaq Alanes chimed in 10.

Joseph Gabayni missed the game after serving the first of his three-game suspension imposed by the school.

The Scores:

PERPETUAL 70 – Eze 18, Ylagan 15, Thompson 13, Dagangon 12, Akhuetie 6, Gallardo 3, Elopre 2, Tamayo 1, Oliveria 0, Dizon 0, Coronel 0, Pido 0.

LYCEUM 42 – Bulawan 13, Alanes 10, Baltazar 4, Lacastesantos 4, Ayaay 4, Nguidjol 3, Malabanan 2, Mbida 2, Sunga 0, Soliman 0, Marata 0, Taladua 0, Elmejrab 0.

Quarters: 17-11, 40-20, 50-35, 70-42.