Coming off a dominant win over Rain or Shine two days ago, the Alaska Aces managed to counter every punch the San Miguel Beermen made in the homestretch to emerge victorious, 127-119, Saturday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Aces now have a share of the second spot of the 2018 Governors’ Cup team standings, forging a triple tie with Magnolia and Blackwater at 5-1.
The Beermen, on the other hand, absorbed their third loss in a row and have dropped to 2-4.
“I’m so happy to get away with the win tonight,” said a delighted Milkmen head tactician Alex Compton. “There are games we can’t make shots, but tonight, we made them.”
Mike Harris powered the Aces yet again with monster numbers of 36 points and 23 rebounds. Vic Manuel supplied 20 points on 9-of-18 shooting along with six boards and four assists.
The Aces had built a nine-point past the midway mark of the final period, but the Beermen managed to knock within distance multiple times to hand out legitimate threats.
But Alaska closed the door for San Miguel once and for all when Chris Banchero’s triple and Manuel’s breakaway lay-up gave them a 123-113 lead with just 1:46 left in the game.
Simon Enciso provided 18 points built on six triples along with seven assists. Frontcourt partner Banchero was in his element again with another double-double of 15 markers and 12 dimes.
Import Kevin Murphy led San Miguel with 45 points on 55 percent shooting and 11 rebounds.
Christian Standhardinger had 28 points – 23 in the first half – and 13 rebounds in the loss. Arwind Santos chimed in 20 points on six triples, and Alex Cabagnot added 14 markers on 14 shots.
Alaska will look to make it four in a row versus the Magnolia Hotshots on October 14, Sunday at SMART Araneta Coliseum, while San Miguel will aim to bounce back versus the Phoenix Fuel Masters on October 12, Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
Alaska (127) – Harris 36, Manuel 20, Enciso 18, Banchero 15, Teng 12, Exciminiano 11, Casio 7, Racal 7, Pascual 1, Thoss 0, Baclao 0.
San Miguel (119) – Murphy 45, Standhardinger 28, Santos 20, Cabagnot 14, Lassiter 7, Nabong 5, Mamaril 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
Quarterscores: 34-36, 67-64, 93-89, 127-119.
