Thompson, Altas eye rebound win vs Pirates

MANILA, Philippines -- Earl Scottie Thompson hopes to bounce back from a disappointing performance in their last game as Perpetual Help clashes with Lyceum Tuesday in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Thompson was nowhere near his reigning MVP self when he managed just 15 points on an atrocious five-of-18 shooting clip that resulted to a painful 65-70 defeat by the Altas to the Mapua Cardinals Thursday.

It was, by far, the worst performance by Thomspon, tabbed by Brgy. Ginebra at No. 5 overall in this year's PBA rookie draft, after the proud son of Digos, Davao del Sur posted three triple-double efforts this season alone.

Nigerian behemoth Bright Akhuetie tried to carry the Altas on his back but his team-high 18 points were not enough to beat Mapua.

Perpetual Help coach Aric del Rosario said they could not afford another dud from his go-to-guy.

"Scottie (Thompson) is the heart and soul of this team and we need him to play strong for us to have a chance of winning," said del Rosario.

Lyceum will come into its duel with the Las Pinas-based school riding the crest of a 71-67 win over San Sebastian Friday that gave it its first streak of the season and improve to 3-7 (win-loss).

Cameroonian Jean Victor Nguidjol continued to play solidly, and most recently, pulled off 15 points, 17 rebounds and four blocks.

"Perpetual Help is a big test for us and Victor (Nguidjol)," said Lyceum mentor Topex Robinson, whose charges fell to Perpetual Help, 61-70, in their first round encounter on June 30.

Arellano University, meanwhile, tries to put its 112-114 double overtime defeat to Jose Rizal last Thursday behind as it shoots to reclaim solo fourth spot against College of St. Benilde (2-8) at 2 p.m.

The Chiefs were lauded for withdrawing its planned protest for the sake of sportsmanship and should go vent it all out on the Blazers.