Altas crush Pirates in mentor's debut

Manila, Philippines -  Perpetual Help rode on a big fourth quarter blitz to beat Lyceum, 82-70, and give comebacking veteran coach Aric del Rosario a big welcome present in the 88th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan last night.

The Altas cashed in on a six-point swing early in the fourth, including four by Earl Thomson, cutting short the Pirates’ rally at 57-59 and easing the pressure from Del Rosario.

“Nerbyos (nervous),” said Rosario in his first post-game interview since guiding UST past UP in overtime at the close of the elims in the 2003 UAAP season. “Parang nanganganay pa rin ako, matagal na din kasing hindi ako nagkapag-coach (It feels like it’s my first time again, it’s been a long while that I have not coached).

Jett Vidal, playing his last season with Perpetual, hit three triples in the third quarter as the Altas built a 15-point lead only to find the Pirates claw back at 54-57 on a stirring 14-2 fightback.

Mark Francisco starred in that big Lyceum rally from a 40-55 deficit.

Lyceum closed to within 57-59 after Dexter Zamora buried a triple early in the final.

“Disiplina (discipline),” said del Rosario when asked what he taught his Altas since he took over this year. “Napapanood ko sila nun nung commissioner pa ako, nakita ko wala pa silang disiplina nun (I’ve watched them when I was still commissioner and I saw they’re not disciplined).”

The Pirates, who were led by Chris Cayabyab’s 17 points, fell to their second straight setback after dropping a 61-70 defeat to the St. Benilde Blazers last Monday.

Earlier, Shaq Imperial came through with 23 points, five steals, four rebounds, four assists and a block as Perpetual Help overpowered a hapless Lyceum side, 135-57, in junior play.

Carl Convento turned in a double-double effort of 15 points and 12 boards for the Junior Altas, who practically settled the issue right in the first quarter, 46-10.

In the nightcap, Jose Rizal leaned on a career-high 29-point explosion by Nate Matute as it turned back Arellano U, 77-65, to seize the solo lead with a 2-0 card.

Matute scattered 17 points in the third quarter as the Bombers built a seven-point lead before thwarting the Chiefs’ series of rallies in the fourth.

“Although it’s too early, it feels good being on top for the first time since I became a coach here,” said Jose Rizal mentor Vergel Meneses, whose wards nipped the Mapua Cardinals, 65-64, in last Saturday’s inaugurals.

The Chiefs fell to their third straight defeat.

Arellano U also posted an easy 82-59 victory over Jose Rizal in the other junior contest.

Christian Garcia paced Arellano with game-high 24 points and 13 rebounds while Darwin Barte scattered 13 points as the Braves improved to a 2-1 (win-loss) record.

Lyceum and Jose Rizal both fell to 0-2.

The scores:

First Game (Srs)

Perpetual 82 – Vidal 17, Thompson 16, Omorogbe 14, Paulino 9, Babayemi 6, Allen 6, Jolangcob 5, Alano 5, Arboleda 2, Elopre 2, Asuncion 0.

Lyceum 70 – Cayabyab 17, Ko 11, Francisco 11, Zamora 9, Laude 8, Ambohot 4, Guevarra 4, Azores 4, Garcia 2, Edding 0, Mendoza 0, Martinez 0, Mallari 0.

Quarterscores: 19-14; 39-26; 57-54; 82-70

Second Game (srs)

Jose Rizal 77 – Matute 29, Lopez 12, Villarias 11, Almario 6, Salaveria 4, Mabulac 4, Monserat 4, Carampil 4, Maconocido 3, Porter 0, Munez 0, Camasura 0, Mendoza 0, dela Paz 0.

Arellano U 65 – Pinto 12, Acidre 10, Cadavis 8, Zulueta 8, Hernandez 7, Forrester 7, Bangga 5, Salcedo 4, Caperal 4, Valera 0.

Quarterscores: 21-17; 38-36; 59-52; 77-65