NIGERIAN Prince Eze booked a career game as University of Perpetual Help foiled Arellano University, 68-59, on Tuesday to strengthen its Final Four bid in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The 6-foot-9 Eze, finally getting the exposure after compatriot Bright Akhuetie left for University of the Philippines in another league, scored a career-best 23 points and added 21 rebounds and five blocks to help the Altas end a two-game slide while clinching their third win against four defeats.
Perpetual Help Coach Jimwell Gican credited his team’s defense that limited Arellano University gunner Kent Salado to only 14 points. He only made five of 14 attempts and turned the ball over six times.
“We knew we needed to really play tough defense to have a chance of making it to the Final Four and, in this game, we did just that,” Gican said.
GJ Ylagan also came out big for the Altas with 11 points and eight boards.
The Chiefs, runners-up a season ago, fell to their fifth loss against two wins.
Perpetual Help hopes to draw enough inspiration from its recent win when it clashes with defending champion San Beda, as the league visits Perpetual Help’s Las Piñas campus tomorrow.
Jose Rizal University also boosted its campaign after beating Emilio Aguinaldo College, 72-48, to improve to 3-3 (won-lost).
Ervin Grospe paced the Bombers with 19 points, five rebounds and two assists, while Jed Mendoza and Abdul Sawat added 15 and 10, respectively. The Generals fell to 3-4.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza