Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Perpetual Help tries to close in on league leaders Letran and San Beda as it clashes with a resurgent Emilio Aguinaldo College Tuesday (August 11) in the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Related: San Beda, Perpetual pummel separate foes
Drawing strength from Nigerian Bright Akhuetie’s 31-point performance, the Altas overpowered the Arellano U Chiefs, 76-66, Thursday (August 6) to remain at No. 3 with a 5-2 (win-loss) record.
Another win in their 4 p.m. on Tuesday (August 11) duel with the Generals will push them half a game closer to the Lions (6-1) and a full game behind the Knights (7-1).
Perpetual Help though will have its hands full against the same inspired EAC squad riding the crest of a two-game streak highlighted by a shock 83-69 victory over a heavily favored Letran Friday (August 7).
Cameroonian Hamadou Laminou got most of the job done with 20 points, 24 rebounds, and four blocks while Remy Morada made the clutchest of baskets by scoring 12 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter to pull off the upset win.
And Perpetual Help coach Aric del Rosario knows they’re in for a tough fight.
“They’re playing inspired right now so we know it’s going to be another difficult game for us,” said del Rosario.
For them to sustain the momentum, EAC mentor Andy de Guzman said they need to continue to defend and rebound well.
In fact, the Generals have outrebounded their foes in their two wins, plucking 55 in a 77-71 triumph over San Sebastian last week and collaring 67 in the stunning win over Letran to average 61 in those two outings.
Interestingly, EAC is second in the league rebounding with an average of 50.86 a game, just about a carom behind the league-leading 51 by Perpetual Help.
“That has been our strength, rebounding. If we can keep it up against Perpetual, which is also a strong rebounding team, we’ll have a chance,” said de Guzman.
Meanwhile, Mapua and Jose Rizal, both on a three-way logjam at fourth spot with Arellano U on identical 4-3 slates, shoot to stay at No. 4 as the two collide at 2 p.m. on the same day.
