Altas explode in final quarter, ward off Stags

12 p.m. – Mapua vs St. Benilde (jrs/srs)

4 p.m. – Jose Rizal vs San Sebastian (srs/jrs)

MANILA, Philippines – Perpetual Help unleashed a massive fourth quarter run as it turned back an upset-conscious San Sebastian, 92-76, to put its one foot to the Final Four in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City Saturday.

Earl Scottie Thompson, Juneric Baloria and Harold Arboleda conspired in the huge fourth quarter breakaway that snared the Altas their 12th win against six losses and at least a playoff for a Final Four berth.

Thompson played like the MVP statistical leader that he is as he toyed with another triple-double performance with 29 points, nine rebounds and eight assists while Baloria and Arboleda, who are expected to get contracts at NLEX in the PBA after the NCAA, scattered 24 and 16 points, respectively.

It was also the troika that sparked the fourth quarter blitz when the Las Pinas-based dribblers outran and outgunned the Stags, 36-16, to turn a four-point deficit at the end of the third period to a victory.

During that torrid run, Thompson sizzled with 11 points, Arboleda with 10 and Baloria with eight.

"We were more aggressive in the fourth quarter, that was the difference," said Perpetual Help coach Aric del Rosario in Filipino.

Led by team captain Jovit dela Cruz and rookie Jerick Fabian with 18 points apiece, the Stags appeared headed to pulling the rug from under the Altas when they dictated the pace almost all throughout and led, 63-58, early in the final canto.

But Thompson, Arboleda and Baloria took over from there as Perpetual Help overran an unnerved San Sebastian side.

The Stags fell to 5-12.

The Altas are eyeing their third straight Final Four appearance after del Rosario took over the coaching reins.

And del Rosario hopes they will not miss the semis bus this time.

"At least we're closer to our Final Four goal," said del Rosario.

The Scores:

Perpetual Help (92) -- Thompson 29, Baloria 24, Arboleda 16, Alano 12, Dagangon 8, Gallardo 3, Oliveria 0, Dizon 0, Lucente 0, Jolangcob 0.

San Sebastian (76) -- Dela Cruz 18, Fabian 18, Guinto 14, Perez 12, Yong 6, Balucanag 4, Calisaan 2, Costelo 2, Camasura 0, Alvarez 0, Pretta 0, Ortuoste 0, Mercado 0.

Quarterscores: 22-21, 31-40, 56-60, 92-76.