Altas nip Blazers, force three-way tie at No. 3

Games Thursday

10 a.m. – Jose Rizal vs Letran (Jrs)

12 p.m. – San Beda vs Mapua (Jrs)

2 p.m. – Jose Rizal vs Letran (Srs)

4 p.m. – San Beda vs Mapua (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines – Perpetual Help and Arellano U pulled off contrasting results Tuesday to jump to a three-way at No. 3 with defending champion Letran in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Nigerian Bright Akhuetie came through anew as he propelled the Altas routed the St. Benilde Blazers, 70-55, while Lervin Flores had a career scoring effort as the Chiefs downed the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals, 88-83, to improve to a third-best 4-2 (win-loss) record.

The 19-year-old Akhuetie powered his way to 21 points, nine rebounds and four blocks, his second straight strong effort after he also finished with 21 points, 16 boards and three blocks in a 61-55 win over the Knights, the reigning champions.

"We're blessed with good imports," said Perpetual Help coach Gimwell Gican, who also drew a strong effort from his other Nigerian, Prince Eze, who had 10 points, eight caroms and two blocks in a relief job, in Filipino.

Flores was in his element as he not only posted his best scoring game with 20 points, he also he spiked it with 15 rebounds that drew praises from his coach.

"What he's doing is just pure hard work," said Arellano U mentor Jerry Codinera of Flores.

In the second game, Lyceum of the Phl U leaned on Cameroonian rookie Mike Nzeusseu as it edged San Sebastian, 83-79, to streak to their third straight victory after losing their first three outings.

Nzeusseu banged his way to 26 points and 24 rebounds as he helped carved the Pirates their longest streak since Topex Robinson took over the coaching reins from Boni Tan a season back.

"He promised me before this game he'll go all out to help the team win and he delivered," said Robinson of Nzeusseu.

It was a battle of spurts with the Chiefs and Generals trading runs.

EAC made the first move and unloaded a 13-2 start before Arellano fought its way back to cut it to one at the end of the first quarter, 22-21. 

The Chiefs outscored the Generals in the second, 24-14, to go into the break with a 45-36 lead.

And then Cameroonian Hamadou Laminou and Remy Morada went to work in the third when EAC dropped 30 points against Arellano U's 17 to regain a 66-62 advantage entering the final period.

Trailing by a point, 73-74, with less than six minutes to go in the game, Arellano dropped an 8-0 blitz Flores capped by draining two foul shots to take the lead for good.

The Generals and the Stags fell to 1-5.

The scores:

First Game (Srs)

Arellano U 88 – Flores 20, Jalalon 15, Cadavis 12, Alcoriza 10, Salado 7, Nichols 7, Villoria 5, Canete 4, Gumaru 3, Zamora 3, Holts 1, Enriquez 1, Aguilar 0, Meca 0, Gupilan 0.

EAC 82- Laminou 23, Morada 17, Onwubere 16, King 11, Munsayac 10, Guzman 3, Pascua 1, General 1, Diego 0, Corilla 0, Aguas 0, Estacio 0, Mendoza 0, Serrano 0

Quarterscores: 21-22; 45-36; 62-66;  

Second Game (Srs)

LPU 83 – Nzeusseu 26, Baltazar 14, Alanes 10, Ayaay 10, Caduyac 9, Marata 7, Serafico 4, Alban 2, Malabanan 1, Soliman 0, Magbuhos 0

San Sebastian 79 – Costelo 23, Fabian 19, Ilagan 15, Calisaan 10, Mercado 3, Quipse 3, Johnson 2, Serajosef 2, Calma 2, Baetiong 0, Capobres 0, David 0, Gayosa 0, Valdez 0

Quarterscores: 23-24; 48-41; 59-58; 83-79

Third Game (Srs)

PERPETUAL 70 – Akhuetie 21, Dagangon 16, Eze 10, Pido 7, Hao 7, Coronel 6, Dizon 2, Singontiko 1, Sadiwa 0, Gallardo 0, Oliveria 0, Yuhico 0.

ST. BENILDE 55 – Saavedra 15, JJ Domingo 9, Young 9, Haruna 6, Fajarito 6, Dixon 4, Belgica 3, Castor 2, Pajarillaga 1, San Juan 0, Pasamante 0, Pili 0.

Quarters: 15-6, 32-24, 57-39, 70-55