 |
| Best player: Calvin Abueva 19pts 6reb |
CAGAYAN DE ORO – Alaska Milk held its ground versus Globalport in a rugged contest, making the killing early in the fourth quarter as the Aces drubbed the Batang Pier, 87-84, to regain the solo lead in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Xavier University Gym here Saturday night.
Trailing most of the first half, the Aces turned things around in the fourth period and quickly got back on track after an upset by the Barako Bull Energy the last time out.
Though going scoreless in the last three minutes of play, the Aces pulled through and broke off a tie with the San Miguel Beermen with a seventh win in eight games.
The Batang Pier went short in their bid to overhaul a 14-point deficit and slid to seventh place with an even
4-4 win-loss mark.
Fresh from a stirring conquest of Talk n Text, Globalport appeared ready to nail another big win until it slowed down towards the end of the third.
Behind clutch baskets by Vic Manuel, Calvin Abueva and Jvee Casio, the Aces seized control at the onset of the fourth quarter and survived a faltering finish in this Petron Blaze-sponsored Saturday special.
Abueva lost a personal shooting duel with Terrence Romeo, but had the last laugh with Romeo failing to bail his team out in the end.
Abueva produced 19 points and six rebounds as against Romeo’s game-high 26 markers.
Casio, Cyrus Baguio and Sonny Thoss also came through with double-digit outputs for the Aces who nailed actually only a second win in their last six games with the Batang Pier.
Globalport waged a comeback attempt at the finish but failed to bring the game into overtime as Romeo and Yancy de Ocampo missed a three-point try each in the final minute.
Romeo joined forces with Alex Cabagnot, Keith Jensen and Stanley Pringle as the Batang Pier charged back from their last of three 14-point deficits at 65-79, coming to within three at 84-87 with 2:11 left to play.
Somehow, Jewel Ponferada blew their momentum on an offensive foul on Eric Menk.
Still, the Batang Pier got their chance to send the game into overtime but blew it.
Romeo scattered 13 points as the Batang Pier came out strong and led at the half at 37-33.
The scores:
Alaska 87 – Abueva 19, Casio 14, Baguio 10, Thoss 10, Jazul 8, Menk 7, Manuel 6, Banchero 4, Exciminiano 4, Hontiveros 3, Dela Rosa 2, Eman 0, Dela Cruz 0.
Globalport 84 – Romeo 26, Pringle 15, Cabagnot 15, Isip 12, De Ocampo 6, Buenafe 5, Ponferada 3, Jensen 2, Taha 0, Pinto 0, Cabrera 0, Baclao 0.
Quarterscores: 15-22, 33-37, 66-60, 87-84
No comments:
Post a Comment