Altas target 4th in row vs Bombers

MANILA, Philippines - Perpetual Help tries to stay behind San Beda as it shoots for its fourth straight win against Jose Rizal U even as San Sebastian and Arellano U dispute solo third place in the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City today.

The Altas, behind the prolific troika of Earl Thompson, Harold Arboleda and Juneric Baloria, are off in their best start in years, racking up three straight victories, including a 73-65 romp over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals last July 11.

But the Heavy Bombers hope to pounce on the Altas’ long layoff in ther 2 p.m. showdown and even their slate at 3-3 in the early going of the double-round elims among 10 teams.

Five-peat seeking San Beda leads the pack with a 5-0 mark but Perpetual Help is in hot pursuit with Thompson, Arboleda and Baloria turning in one big game after another.

In fact, the three lead the statistical race this early with Thompson toting an impressive 75.67 points with league-high norms of 22.67 points and seven assists, 11 rebounds (third best), two steals (fourth best) and nearly a block a game.

Arboleda and Baloria are running second and third, respectively, with the former averaging 13.33 points, eight boards, 4.67 dimes and a steal and the latter 20.67 points, 5.33 caroms, 2.67 assists and 1.33 steals.

Perpetual Help coach Aric dela Rosario, however, said he will need the other players to step up and help on both ends of the floor.

“They have been carrying the team so far,” said del Rosario in Pilipino. “But we can’t always rely on them, we need the other players to step up and provide them support.”

Del Rosario is also wary of the Bombers, who lost their first two games, won the next two then dropped the last.

“Jose Rizal is unpredictable, we have to watch out,” said del Rosario.

The 4 p.m. clash between San Sebastian and Arellano U, tied at 3-1 records, also promises to be a thriller of an encounter with both teams coming off hard-earned triumphs. The Stags edged the St Benilde Blazers, 74-72, last July 11 while the Chiefs survived the lowly Mapua Cardinals, 68-63, last Friday.

San Sebastian is expected to pin its hopes again on CJ Perez, Jovit dela Cruz, Jamil Ortuoste and Bradwyn Guinto and rookies Ranzhelle Yong and Michael Calisaan while Levi Hernandez, who averaged 16 points in four games, hopes to lead the Chiefs anew along with American rookie Dioncee Holts, who normed 11.25 points and 11 rebounds.

“Dioncee (Holts) is a blessing to us, he is putting up those big numbers silently off the bench,” said Arellano U mentor Jerry Codiñera.