Perpetual Help leaned on its "Fantastic Four" as it smothered Arellano University, 101-86, to close in on the league leaders in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City on Monday.
Harold Arboleda, Juneric Baloria and Justine Alano went out firing on all cylinders with 28, 26 and 18 points, respectively, while Earl Scottie Thompson posted his second triple-double performance of the season to lead the Altas to their eighth win against four defeats.
By handing the Chiefs their third setback against nine wins, the Altas moved one game behind the former and two away from the pace-setting San Beda Lions (10-2).
Perpetual Help coach Aric del Rosario was so impressed with how his team played that he declared this as their best thus far.
"Yes, this is our best game of the year," said del Rosario in Filipino.
Baloria took charge in the third period when he torched Arellano U with 14 points while Arboleda stepped up in the final canto when he poured in 12 that quelled their foe's late charge.
Alano made his impact in the first three quarters with his inside scoring.
For Thompson, he did the rest and registered 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, his second triple-double effort following his 15 points, 13 boards and 12 dimes in a 73-65 win over Emilio Aguinaldo on July 11.
The effort of the four were enough to avenge Perpetual Help's 85-97 defeat to Arellano in the first round on July 26.
The game was halted early in the fourth quarter after some lights went out.
About 20 minutes when play resumed, Perpetual Help momentarily lost the momentum as Arellano U cut its 15-point deficit entering the final canto to just a single-digit.
And then Arboleda made some key baskets in the stretch to quash the last fight from the Chiefs.
In the second game, Jose Rizal University rode an 18-4 first quarter to cruise to an easy win, 67-43.
Philip Paniamogan led JRU with 23 points. — Photos by KC Cruz
The scores:
First Game
Perpetual Help 101- Arboleda 28, Baloria 26, Alano 18, Thompson 11, Dizon 6, Gallardo 6, Jolangcob 4, Ylagan 2, Sadiwa 0, Dagangon 0
Arellano U 86- Pinto 17, Agovida 15, Jalalon 11, Hernandez 10, Enriquez 8, Gumaru 6, Caperal 5, Holts 5, Salcedo 3, Ciriacruz 2, Palma 2, Ortega 2, Nicholls 0, Bangga 0
Quarters: 23-22; 49-44; 84-69; 101-86
Second Game
Jose Rizal 67- Paniamogan 23, Mabulac 13, Benavides 9, Abdul Wahab 5, Lasquety 5, Grospe 5, Sanchez 4, Teodoro 3, Astilla 0, Salaveria 0, Asuncion 0
Lyceum 43- Baltazar 11, Zamora 8, Maconocido 8, Gabayni 5, Bulawan 4, Elmejrab 3, Lesmoras 2, Malabanan 2, Pamulaklakin 0, Soliman 0, Taladua 0, Mbbida 0
Quarters: 18-4; 32-18; 56-34; 67-43
