Healthy Thompson does wonders for surging Altas

MANILA, Philippines – Earl Scottie Thompson of Perpetual Help was a shell of himself when he returned during the middle of the season from a slipped disk he suffered in the summer of last year.

Now in the pink of health this year, Thompson is back with a vengeance.

Thompson came through with a pair of monster games to help the Altas grab a share of the lead with the San Beda Lions, the four-peat champions, with a two victories apiece in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

In wins over Mapua and San Sebastian, the Digos, Davao del Sur native averaged 26.5 points on an efficient 21-of-32 shooting, including a five-of-11 clip from beyond the arc he topped by norming 10 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals, a block and just a turnover a game.

It was a scintillating effort that did not only earn him the ACCEL Quantum Plus-316 NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week plum but also the admiration of his coach.

"That kid is a hard worker on and off the court. I'm happy that he is doing well," said Perpetual Help mentor Aric del Rosario of the 21-year-old Thompson in Filipino.

For Thompson, he was just making up for lost time.

"I came from injury last year when I returned so I couldn't contribute that much. Now that I'm in full strength, I'm trying to help the team as much as I can," said Thompson.

Thompson beat to the punch teammates Harold Arboleda and Juneric Baloria and San Beda's Ola Adeogun and Baser Amer for the weekly honor backed by ACCEL Quantum Plus and 316.