Altas whip Generals, join Lions at helm

Games today

12 noon – San Beda vs Arellano U (Jrs)

2:30 p.m. – San Beda vs Arellano U (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines - Earl Scottie Thompson dished out a career-first triple-double performance as he powered Perpetual Help to a 73-65 romp over Emilio Aguinaldo for a share of the lead with four-peat champion San Beda in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Thompson piled up 15 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists with three steals to boot as the Altas bucked a shaky start to take control in the second en route to posting their third straight victory.

Thompson’s triple-double feat was the first in the league since former San Sebastian ace Calvin Abueva, now with Alaska in the PBA, scored 21 points, hauled down 20 rebounds and issued 10 assists two years ago. The Altas ace gunner also came one assist away from achieving the feat with 16 points and 11 boards in a win over St. Benilde in 2012.

“I just want to help the team in any way I can,” said Thompson, a 21-year-old Digos, Davao del Sur native, in Pilipino. 

Thompson averaged 26.5 points, 10 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals and a block after two games this year.

“Earl is one of the hardest workers of the team and it’s paying off,” said del Rosario.

Juneric Baloria and Harold Arboleda backed Thompson with 18 and 15 points, respectively, as the Las Piñas-based squad raced to a 21-point spread on a triple by Arboleda midway in the third.

But the Generals regrouped and rallied to close to within, 55-62, with five minutes left but the Altas countered with six unanswered points to frustrate their rivals.

EAC fell to 1-2.

Earlier, San Sebastian bucked a horrendous field goal shooting in the fourth and survived a pesky St. Benilde side, 74-72, to improve to a 3-1 (win-loss) slate.

The Stags hit just five foul shots in the last seven minutes but made some key stops in the stretch, including in the final play when they forced the Blazers’ Jonathan Grey to take a contested three-point shot as time expired.

“We knew that as long as we made stops, even if we couldn’t make a basket, we’ll have a chance,” said San Sebastian coach Topex Robinson.

Jovit dela Cruz paced SSC with 18 points while Bradwyn Guinto had 13 markers and 14 rebounds.

Dela Cruz and Guinto also took charge in the third quarter, combining for 15 points to give the Stags a 13-point lead.

The Stags also a drew an inspired game from rookie Rhanzelle Yong, a first cousin of former Stag and NCAA MVP Ian Sangalang who scored 16 points on seven-of-10 shooting. He also snared eight rebounds and had one shot block.

“I really want to play college basketball for my alma mater because without it, I will not learn what I learn from high school,” said the 19-year-old Yong, a former Staglet who was being recruited by San Beda and National U before deciding to suit up for San Sebastian, in Pilipino.

The Blazers fell to their third straight defeat.

The scores:

First Game

San Sebastian 74 – Dela Cruz 18, Yong 16, Perez 15, Guinto 13, Ortuoste 10, Fabian 2, Balucanag 0, Calisaan 0, Costelo 0, Aquino 0

St. Benilde 72 – Romero 17, Nayve 13, Grey 9, Bartolo 7, Taha 6, Ongteco 6, Sinco 4, Argamino 2, Saavedra 0

Quarterscores: 20-22; 40-38; 63-52; 74-72

Second Game

Perpetual Help 73 – Baloria 18, Thompson 15, Arboleda 15, Alano 10, Gallardo 4, Dagangon 4, Dizon 3, Bantayan 2, Sadiwa 2, Jolangcob 0, Oliveria 0

EAC 65 – Jamon 15, Happi 14, Aguilar 11, Arquero 6, Tayongtong 5, Pascual 4, Onwubere 4, King 3, Mejos 3, Santos 0, Saludo 0

Quarterscores: 12-13; 35-20; 59-44; 73-65