Perpetual Help’s Final Four chances got a huge boost after Gerald Dizon notched a career-high 20 points to help the Altas thwarted Emilio Aguinaldo College, 89-59 Tuesday afternoon in the NCAA Season 91 Basketball Tournament.
Dizon nailed three triples in the first half alone before adding to his production in the third period where the Altas outscored the Generals 25-11 to erect a huge 64-41 lead.
The Altas attacked the EAC bigs Laminou Hamadou and Sidney Onwubere, forcing them to foul trouble while drawing free throw attempts that created more distance.
Perpetual then opened the fourth quarter with 10 unanswered points, pounding the hapless Generals with inside points and points off turnovers as the lead ballooned to 74-41.
A trey by Kyle Mejos stopped the bleeding momentarily but another 7-0 run pushed the Altas lead to their biggest at 81-44, putting away the Generals.
Later, Perpetual’s Cabiltes and EAC’s Diego and Pascua were all ejected after Cabiltes and Diego shoved each other after a rebound play while Pascua instigating a fight instead of pacifying the situation.
“Siyempre gusto namin maka-twice to beat,” an upbeat Coach Aric del Rosario said. “Lagi kasi namin nakakatapat yung San Beda.”
Moreover, he added that he is no longer surprised with how Thompson notches his triple-doubles. “Nagsasawa na nga ako,” he quipped. “Pero okay lang kasi masaya naman lahat.”
Perpetual improved to 11-4 overall, tying Letran’s record for fourth spot in the current race for the Final Four wars. The team created a one-game separation over Jose Rizal and Mapua, which both tote 10-5 cards.
The Generals meanwhile, which is already at the tail-end of the tournament, succumbed further to 2-13.
Scottie Thompson finished with another triple-double effort of 10 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists, his seventh of the season.
Perpetual shot 45% percent from three-point area compared to the 33% of Emilio Aguinaldo.
Mejos paced EAC with points but Onwubere was limited to only eight points on a miserable 1-for-9 from the field while Smart Elite ambassador Francis Munsayac was limited to just five points on 1/8 shooting.
The Perpetual Altas will have a tough assignment in their next outing as they face the JRU Heavy Bombers on Friday, September 25 at 2:00pm while the EAC Generals look to end their season on a high note as they face the Lyceum Pirates on Thursday, September 24 at 2:00pm.
The Scores:
UPHSD (89) – Dizon 18, Eze 11, Thompson 10, Dagangon 9, Akhuetie 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, Laminou 8, Diego 7, Pascua 6, Munsayac 5, Bonleon 1, Pascual 0, Corilla 0, Estacio 0, Mallari 0.
Quarterscores: 14-12, 39-30, 64-41, 89-59.
