Alaska too experienced for Kia in a lopsided game

Veteran Eric Menk (left) earning his 1st Best Player award in Alaska uniform

The red-hot Alaska Aces remained undefeated in the PBA Philippine Cup after cruising to a 69-56 victory over winless expansion team Blackwater for a sixth consecutive win on Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Veteran forward Eric Menk, filling in for Sonny Thoss inside, had a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds to lead the way.

Alaska star Calvin Abueva added 13 points while Vic Manuel had 10.

Abueva struggled from the field but played a role in a crucial fourth quarter run, scoring twice to help the Aces put the game away.

Blackwater was led by Larry Rodriguez, who scored 10 points, while JP Erram and Ogie Menor each added nine.

Alaska and Blackwater are now off to completely contrasting starts to season, with the Aces at the top of the heap with a 6-0 record and the Elite at the bottom at 0-6.

It was Alaska’s defense that shone brightest in the first half as they held Blackwater to a mere nine points in the first period and 11 points in the second.

Alaska started off strong, opening on a 9-3 run that was capped by a three-pointer from sharpshooter JVee Casio.

Blackwater did well to keep the game close, though, with back-to-back baskets from big man JP Erram in the second quarter keeping the within four, 21-17.

But the Aces, behind the trio of Abueva, Menk and Cyrus Baguio, outscored the Elite by eight points, 11-3, to close the low-scoring first half ahead by 12, 32-20.

The Aces were again the aggressive team to start the third.

A string of six straight points, the last four created by Abueva’s playmaking for Tony Dela Cruz and Menk, gave Alaska a 17-point lead, 38-21, early in the second half.

But Blackwater responded with a big 17-5 run, including a stretch of 10 unanswered points, as they climbed their way right back into the game.

The Elite found their form behind some nice play from veteran Larry Rodriguez, who hit one of his trademark midrange jumpers before setting up Erram for a three-point play in the post.

Juami Tiongson connected on a three-pointer and Menor again scored in transition, this time on a wide open jumper, as Blackwater closed in to six points, 41-35.

Alaska rookie Chris Banchero hit a jumper in the final minute but Sunday Salvacion brought Blackwater to within five, 43-38, after another three-pointer late in the third.

The teams traded baskets early in the fourth before Alaska finally put the game away with a big 17-3 run that saw seven different Aces find the hoop.

The run pushed the lead back to an 18-point lead, 65-47, with a little over two minutes remaining.

The scores:
ALASKA (69) – Menk 14, Abueva 13, Manuel 10, Banchero 6, Baguio 6, Hontiveros 6, Casio 4, Eximiano 3, Jazul 3, Bugia 2, Dela Cruz 0, Eman 0, Dela Rosa 0.

BLACKWATER (56) — Rodriguez 10, Erram 9, Menor 9, Gamalinda 5, Salvacion 5, Artadi 4, Timberlake 3, Tiongson 3, Faundo 2, Nuyles 2, Ballesteros 2, Laure 2, Celis 0, Cawaling 0.


Quarterscores: 15-9, 32-20, 46-38, 69-56.