Simon Enciso had his finest moment as a pro, leading the Alaska Aces to a masterful showing over the TNT KaTropa, 125-96, to collect their second straight win in the 2018 Governors’ Cup, Sunday at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The third-year point guard shot 9-of-12 from beyond the arc en route to a career-best 30 points to help the Aces send the KaTropa to their second straight loss. Alaska, with the win, is now sitting atop the team standings with a 2-0 card.
Enciso already had five three-pointers to begin the match, and that greatly helped the Aces to open the game with a 21-5 cushion. As the floodgates opened wide, the KaTropa never found solutions to keep themselves from drowning.
“He was just so impressive. I was really happy for Simon,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton.
Vic Manuel went back to his old ways as he supplied 18 points and eight rebounds for Alaska. Import Mike Harris, who graded himself low and called his PBA debut last Friday as terrible, had 16 points and 24 rebounds.
It wasn’t only Enciso that had a great night, though, as Chris Banchero also had a huge imprint in the victory. The Fil-Italian guard, who has only returned to Alaska last Friday, had 15 points and a whopping 14 assists.
“I’m so impressed with Chris,” gushed Compton.
All Aces players scored at least two points in the victory.
Stacy Davis, now in his second game, led the KaTropa with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. Troy Rosario had 16 points and 11 rebounds, Jayson Castro made 13 points, and Roger Pogoy chipped in 10 markers on 14 shots.
The Texters have now gone 1-3.
Both teams will face Calvin Abueva and the Phoenix Fuel Masters this week still at the Big Dome. The Aces — where Abueva started his career — will play them first on Wednesday, August 29, and the Katropa next on Friday, August 31.
The Scores:
Alaska 125 – Enciso 30, Manuel 18, Harris 16, Banchero 15, Exciminiano 8, Galliguez 8, Baclao 7, Andrada 6, J. Pascual 4, Casio 3,Cruz 2, Magat 2, Potts 2, Racal 2, Teng 2.
TNT 96 – Davis 26, Rosario 16, Castro 13, Pogoy 10, Romeo 9, Carey 6, Cruz 6, Williams 5, Golla 0, Paredes 0, Reyes 0, Tamsi 0.
Quarterscores: 35-13, 68-39, 103-68, 125-96.
