PERPETUAL Help showed no mercy as it held Lyceum to the lowest output of the season in an emphatic 70-42 victory yesterday that tightened the Altas’ grip of third spot in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
With Nigerian center Prince Eze patrolling the shaded lane, the Altas limited the Pirates to just 14 field goals on 21 percent shooting on their way to their eighth victory in 11 games.
Stepping up in the absence of the injured Bright Akhuetie in the second half, the 6-foot-11 Eze poured 18 points and grabbed 19 rebounds on top of six blocks for the Altas.
Sustaining his fine form, reigning MVP Earl Scottie Thompson registered his fourth triple double of the season, tallying 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for the Altas who bounced back from a 65-70 loss to the Mapua Cardinals last week.
The Altas watched in horror when Akhuetie writhed in pain after suffering a shoulder injury in the second period. He did not return in the game.
“The players know they had to play better because our performance against Mapua was just embarassing,” said Altas coach Aric del Rosario.
Earlier, Arellano U leaned on the trio of Jio Jalalon, Dioncee Holts and Allen Enriquez as it turned back St. Benilde, 86-82, to improve to 7-4.
The scores:
First Game
ARELLANO 86—Jalalon 15, Holts 15, Enriquez 14, Salado 12, Nicholls 11, Gumaru 11, Bangga 2, Cadavis 1, Capara 0, Meca 0, de Guzman 0, Zamora 0, Tano 0
ST. BENILDE 82—Grey 22, Domingo 16, Saavedra 14, Jonson 13, Nayve 9, Ongteco 5, Fajarito 2, Sta. Maria 1, Deles 0, Castor 0, San Juan 0.
Quarters: 16-22, 38-37, 55-60, 86-82
Second Game
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