Altas grab share of lead; Stags up

Scottie Thompson dishes out another triple double. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Perpetual Help star Earl Scottie Thompson is making triple doubles look ordinary that it no longer impresses coach Aric del Rosario.

The reigning MVP notched a seventh triple double of the season, propelling the Altas to an emphatic 89-59 win over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals Tuesday in the NCAA basketball at Filoil Flying V Arena.

“I just expect him to do more for the team all the time,” said Del Rosario, referring to Thompson who finished with 10 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists in 31 minutes of action. “We depend on him so much.”

The victory gave the Altas a share of top spot following San Sebastian’s stunning 98-92 triumph over San Beda in the second game.

The results further tightened up the Final Four race with Perpetual Help, Letran and San Beda all holding 11-4 cards. Arellano and Mapua are a full game behind and Jose Rizal U another game back at 9-6.

Thompson already notched his triple double with four minutes remaining in the third period. With the Altas already in control, the game almost took an ugly turn when Perpetual Help’s Niko Cabiltes and Jeric Diego of EAC were ejected for an altercation.

The incident later escalated into a brawl in the Arena parking lot where eyewitnesses said EAC’s Raymund Pascua and Sydney Onwubere attacked Cabiltes, triggering the fight that comes exactly a year after the infamous brawl between Mapua and EAC that led to the suspension of 17 players.

First Game

PERPETUAL HELP 89—Dizon 18, Eze 11, Thompson 10, Akhuetie 9, Dagangon 9, Coronel 8, Oliveria 7, Tamayo 6, Gallardo 5, Ylagan 2, Bantayan 2, Sadiwa 2, Elopre 0, Cabiltes 0, Pido 0

EAC 59—Mejos 13, General 11, Onwubere 8, Hamadou 8, Diego 7, Pascua 6, Munsayac 5, Bonleon 1, Pascual 0, Corilla 0, Estacio 0, Mallari 0

Quarters: 14-12, 39-30, 64-41, 89-59

Second Game

SAN SEBASTIAN 98—Guinto 26, Calisaan 21, Fabian 16, Ortuoste 13, Bulanadi 10, Costelo 7, Pretta 5, Santos 0, Capobres 0

SAN BEDA 92—Dela Cruz 30, Adeogun 17, Tankoua 10, Amer 9, Soberano 8, Mocon 7, Sorela 4, Presbitero 3, Koga 2, Tongco 2, Cabanag 0, Reyes 0

Quarters: 28-23, 49-45, 73-74, 98-92