Prince Eze came through with a big game on both ends of the floor to help propel the Perpetual Help Altas edge the EAC Generals 68-55 on Tuesday.
Eze topscored for the Altas with 17 points in only 15 minutes and hauled down 8 rebounds, but his main accomplishment was making it difficult for Generals big Laminou Hamadou to take charge inside.
Hamadou had been dominant during EAC’s two-game winning streak, tallying huge double-doubles but against the Altas, he was limited to only 12 points and 9 rebounds. He took only 5 shots and struggled from the free throw area, shooting only 6-for-13.
Altas head coach Aric Del Rosario bared that he instructed his boys to match the Generals’ intensity, and the team stepped up to avoid an upset.
“Magagaling na player rin yan pero kung lalabanan natin ang ginagawa nila, hindi mananalo sa atin yan. So nilabanan nila. Kung papayagan nila gawin sa kanila, hindi tayo mananalo,” he said.
“Di kami bumitaw. Kahit ano ang gawin ng EAC, andoon rin kami. Nakatayo kami hanggang sa huli.”
EAC shot a miserable 28 percent overall, while Perpetual dominated the glass, 63-38. Eze shared he has his own role, and that it was a collective effort that gave Perpetual the victory.
“It is not about one person in the team. It is all of us against everybody. It us about us beating them together,” Eze said.
“I have my own role. Every player has a role in this team. That is to make my teammates better and help them on defense. I keep trying to be more aggressive on my defense to help them win.”
Although Perpetual had a huge scare after star guard Scottie Thompson sprain his left ankle, Del Rosario remains positive and hopes for the best.
“Pasalamat kami, August 18 pa ang next game. Sana magamot ang paa niya,” he added.
