CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Prince Eze recorded a rare triple-double to power University of Perpetual Help to an 88-72 rout of Jose Rizal University in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Monday at Pasig Sports Center.
Eze dominated with 24 points, 20 rebounds, and a record-setting 11 blocks to become only the fifth player in league history to achieve the feat.
“At least, he knows what he can do and what he can bring to the table,” said Perpetual Help head coach Frankie Lim of Eze’s performance.
John Villanueva added 18 markers, seven boards, four assists, and two steals while AJ Coronel got 11 points, six rebounds, and four dimes for the Altas.
With Eze lording in the paint, Perpetual quickly established control of the game with a 15-3 start.
Though the Heavy Bombers leaned on Jeckster Apinan to recover and even briefly claim the lead in the second quarter, Eze was at it again to help the Altas regain control and this time, for good after taking a 41-29 lead that ballooned to 20 in fourth quarter.
Lim, however, felt that the win over a fellow NCAA contender doesn’t mean much at this stage.
“We just caught JRU in a bad night,” he remarked, as JRU shot 36-percent from the field against Perpetual’s sky-high 52-percent clip.
Lim did share his elation with how the Altas have been improving over their past outings.
“We’re getting better every game and that’s what I want to see.”
Leonardo Esguerra carried JRU with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Apinan got 14 markers and 12 boards in the team’s first loss in three games.
The Scores:
PERPETUAL 88 — Eze 24, Villanueva 18, Coronel 11, Aurin 9, Jimenez 9, Peralta 8, Charcos 7, Antonio 2, Mangalino 0, Tamayo 0.
JRU 72 — Esguerra 21, Apinan 14, Mendoza 11, Grospe 6, Perez 6, Yu 6, Dela Virgen 5, Bordon 2, Mvogo 1, Padua 0, Pontejos 0, Tayongtong 0.
Quarters: 17-11, 41-29, 62-53, 88-72.