Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Perpetual Help leaned on another triple-double performance by Earl Scottie Thompson as it smashed College of St. Benilde, 70-47, Friday (September 18) to move up to solo third place in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at The Arena in San Juan.
Thompson wound up with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists for his third triple-double effort in the last four games and sixth this year and ninth overall in his career as the Altas booked their 10th win against four defeats.
“He’s the leader of this team,” said Perpetual Help coach Aric del Rosario in Filipino referring to Thompson, the reigning MVP.
The Las Pinas-based school also did it with defense as it held St. Benilde to the league’s second worst scoring output in a game since the Altas routed the Lyceum of the Philippines U Pirates, 70-42, on Sept. 1.
“We knew we needed to toughen up our defense to have a chance and today (yesterday) we did that,” said del Rosario.
In the other game, Mapua drew strength from a monster effort of Nigerian Allwell Oraeme as it stunned Arellano U, 86-73, to barge into the magic four.
The 6-9 Oraeme had 15 points and 30 rebounds to power the Cardinals to their 10th win against five defeats, which was good for a share of fourth spot with the Chiefs.
It was the second huge effort of Oraeme after he also dropped 18 points and 30 rebounds in a shock 82-77 win over Letran last week.
The Cardinals also remained undefeated in six games in the second round.
“What can I say, it was gratifying to see my players starting to really play hard,” said Ed Cordero, who is coach while head coach Atoy Co was under the second of his two-game suspension.
