NCAA: Thompson scores another triple-double as Perpetual rips EAC

Scottie Thompson dishes out another triple double in Perpetual Help’s rout of EAC. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Scottie Thompson weaved another triple-double and University of Perpetual Help ripped Emilio Aguinaldo College, 89-59, in the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Thompson flaunted his MVP form anew, making his seventh triple-double of the season look easy, with 10 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists for the Altas, who tied the Letran Knights in second place with an 11-4 record.

READ: NCAA: Perpetual stays at 4th behind Thompson’s 6th triple-double

“Siguro kasi yun lang mindset ko and ginagawa ko lang best ko (That’s just my mindset going into the game and I’m just doing my best),” the Ginebra rookie Thompson said of his latest stat-sheet stuffing performance.

The Altas banked on a 29-4 run bridging the third and fourth quarters to put the game away.

“Akala ko hindi na kami lalayo (I thought we’re not going to pull away from them),” Perpetual Help head coach Aric del Rosario told reporters. “Maganda simula ng EAC. Kung nagpabaya kami mahahabol nila kami. (EAC had a good start and had we became careless, they would’ve been able to catchup).”

READ: NCAA: Jalalon, Thompson relish brilliant triple-double duel

“Kaya sabi ko sa mga players ko huwag sila padidikitin. Nung lumayo kami nawalan na sila ng gana lumaro. (That’s why I told the players not to let them get close and when we pulled away they lost their game).”

The 22-year-old Thompson only needed three quarters to record the fourth triple-double in the last five games but he wasn’t the only one who shone for Perpetual Help.

Gerald Dizon came off the bench and had a game-high 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field to act as the Altas’ spark plug.

“Hindi ko inexpect na ganito yung lalaruin ko ngayon,” Dizon said.

The also-ran Generals, who slid to 2-13, were only down by eight early in the third period before the Altas made their big surge.

The game was momentarily stopped with 1:37 left after Perpetual Help’s Nikolo Cabiltes and EAC’s Enjerico Diego got involved in a scuffle.

Both players along with Generals guard Raymund Pascua were thrown out due to the incident. Pascua was tossed due to a fighting stance.