Prince Eze towered over the competition and towed the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas to a dominating 88-72 drubbing of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, Monday afternoon at the Pasig Sports Center.
The Nigerian student-athlete registered a rare-triple double with his 24 points, 20 rebounds, and a record 11 blocks to become only the fifth player in PBA D-League history with a triple double.
“At least, he knows what he can do and what he can bring to the table,” said coach Frankie Lim as he kept a holistic view on the Altas’ progress.
“We’re getting better every game. Yun naman ang gusto ko makita eh, yung improvement mula sa practices namin,” the NCAA champion coach added.
John Villanueva chipped in 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while AJ Coronel poured 11 points, six rebounds, and four dimes for Perpetual, who forced a five-way logjam at third with identical 2-1 slates.
The Altas took the lead from the get go as the Heavy Bombers shot poorly and were dominated off the boards.
Perpetual made 40 of 76 shots (52.6 percent), while JRU struggled on 33 of 90 (36.7 percent) shooting. The Altas also dominated the boards,56-46.
Leonardo Esguerra fired 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Jeckster Apinan got 14 markers and 12 boards for the Heavy Bombers, who succumbed to their first loss in three outings.
The Scores:
UPHSD 88 — Eze 24, Villanueva 18, Coronel 11, Aurin 9, Jimenez 9, Peralta 8, Charcos 7, Antonio 2, Mangalino 0, Tamayo 0.
JRU 72 — Esguerra 21, Apinan 14, Mendoza 11, Grospe 6, Perez 6, Yu 6, Dela Virgen 5, Bordon 2, Mvogo 1, Padua 0, Pontejos 0, Tayongtong 0.
Quarterscores: 17-11, 41-29, 62-53, 88-72.
