Altas seek lead share vs Cards

Games today

10 a.m. – Jose Rizal vs AU (jrs)

12 noon – Mapua vs Perpetual (jrs)

2 p.m. – Jose Rizal vs AU (srs)

MANILA, Philippines - Perpetual Help tries to force a three-way logjam at the top as it shoots for an all-important win against a struggling Mapua side even as Arellano U and Jose Rizal U dispute the fourth spot in the second round elims of the NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan today.

The Altas, who finished the first round tied for second with the Lions at 7-2, hope to make it two-in-row against the Cardinals, whom they edged, 82-79, in the first round, and join the Letran Knights and the San Beda Red Lions at the helm.

San Sebastian came from behind to stun Letran, 89-87, last Tuesday, enabling San Beda to gain a piece of the lead at 8-2.

The Altas seek to match that as they tangle with the Cardinals, currently at No. 6 with a 4-5 slate, at 4 p.m.

Reigning MVP Scottie Thompson and Bright Akhuetie are expected to spearhead Perpetual’s attack again but coach Aric del Rosario stressed the need for the rest to step up in anticipation of a big Mapua challenge.

“We would need not just Scottie (Thompson) and Bright (Akhuetie) but also the whole team to perform because Mapua is not an easy team to beat,” said del Rosario.

The Altas will be facing a team led by Nigerian Allwell Oraeme, who has piled up averages of 19.11 rebounds and 4.22 blocks, both league-highs, on top of his 17.56 points per-game norm.

Akhuetie, who leads the league in scoring with 21.33 points and in the top 10 of three other categories – 12.44 boards (third), two steals (sixth) and a block (10th), said he’s ready to match Oraeme’s power.