Vic Manuel and the Alaska Aces redeemed themselves from Friday’s loss to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters by dismantling the Blackwater Elite, 93-74, to barge into the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup win column, Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Aces now have an even 1-1 slate, while the Elite will end the week empty-handed with a 0-3 card.
Manuel anchored the Milkmen with 27 points — 15 in the fourth. Antonio Campbell, who had a 40-20 outing last Friday, was the only other Alaska player who finished in double figures, as he supplied 23 points and 19 rebounds.
The Aces dictated the pace right from the get-go — they had already mounted a wall as high as 30 points, 49-19, after a mini 5-0 run ended by Kevin Racal’s basket with less than four minutes to go before heading to the break.
The Elite inevitably fought back. From the 30-point deficit, they furiously outscored the Milkmen 40-17 to knock within seven, 59-66, as burly big man Dave Marcelo swished in a three-pointer to open the fourth quarter.
That, however, would be the closest they would ever get, as Alaska made a 20-7 blitz — ended by Manuel’s freebies — to inflate another 22-point cushion, 86-64, with 4:43 left to put their opponents knocked out once and for all.
“Credit to Coach Leo [Isaac]. I don’t know what he said at halftime to his team,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton. “We talked about hey, this third quarter is huge, we gotta take care of it. You played great in the first half, but you gotta move the ball, defend, play for each other. But what always happened, nabaliktad ang nangyari. Siguro maganda ang sinabi ni Coach Leo.”
Calvin Abueva only scored three points on an 0-for-10 clip, but he still made an impact in the Aces’ victory as he hauled down 10 boards, dished out six assists, and collected two steals and two blocks on the other side of the floor.
“I got two words that changed the fourth quarter and that’s Calvin Abueva,” lauded Compton. “He played just like exactly what we’re looking for. He helped us on the rebounds, he got the loose ball, and he got a lot of shots for his teammates. He made so many extra unselfish plays that as coaches we love. If he plays like that I’m confident we have a chance against the really talented, stronger… he was awesome. He was awesome. And I think it rubbed off on everybody in the fourth quarter.”
Jarrid Famous led Blackwater with 27 points along with 21 rebounds and three blocks. Center Poy Erram was his only support with 11 markers and 11 caroms.
Alaska will face a dangerous Columbian Dyip on May 4, Friday, 4:30 PM, still at the Big Dome, while Blackwater will look to stop their skid versus the GlobalPort Batang Pier on May 2, Wednesday, 4:30 PM at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Scores:
Alaska 93 — Manuel 27, Campbell 23, Enciso 7, Exciminiano 7, Magat 6, Racal 5, Teng 5, Baclao 4, Abueva 3, Banchero 2, Casio 2, Thoss 2, Galliguez 0.
Blackwater 74 — Famous 27, Erram 11, DiGregorio 9, Belo 7, Sumang 7, Marcelo 4, Sena 4, Banal 2, Maliksi 2, Jose 1, Cruz 0, Palma 0, Pinto 0.
Quarterscores: 27-11, 54-29, 66-56, 93-74.
