Games Today
(The Arena, San Juan)
2 p.m. – Jose Rizal vs Arellano
4 p.m. – Perpetual vs Mapua
All eyes will be on University of Perpetual Help’s Scottie Thompson as he tries to push the Altas to a three-way tie
for the lead against dangerous Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA basketball tournament today at The Arena in San Juan.
The confidence of the reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player is on an all-time high after being selected fifth overall by Barangay Ginebra last Sunday during the PBA Annual Draft.
Thompson notched three triple-doubles and averaged 14 points, 11.6 rebounds and a league leading 8.8 assists per game as the Altas finished the first round with a 7-2 record.
A win here would enable Perpetual to tie Letran and San Beda on top.
Thompson said they will continue to work hard for their first title since joining the league in 1984.
“Tuloy parin kami. Trabaho lang ng trabaho,” Thompson said.
“Kailangan mas higitan pa namin kasi alam namin na pag dating ng second round, magbabakbakan talaga yan. Iba na talaga ang labanan diyan. Lahat gusto makapasok sa final four, so kailangan lang namin pagtrabahuhin pa,” he added.
Against the Cardinals, the Altas will have to deal with MVP leader Allwell Oraeme who has posted impressive averages of 14 points, 19.1 points and 4.3 blocks.
Mapua has a 4-5 record.
Battling in the first game are Arellano (6-3) and Jose Rizal (5-4).
The Chiefs, led by the scintillating backcourt duo of Jiovanni Jalalon and Kent Salado, will have vengeance on their minds against the Bombers who routed them the first time around, 78-61.