Alaska edges Phoenix; Rain or Shine wins debut

Alaska moved to the upper half of Group A standings after beating Phoenix, 10-7, in the PBA-Tag Heuer 3-on-3 women’s basketball tournament Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Anna Iida powered the Aces to their second win in three games, hitting big shots down the stretch while denying the Fuel Masters a win in Phoenix’s opening game.

After Joan Diego’s two-point basket put Phoenix ahead, 5-3, Iida converted an and-one play and hit a free throw and a jumper to push Alaska on top, 7-5.

Diego cut the deficit to only one, 7-6, in the final minute, but Iida hit a long range shot to make it 9-6 for Alaska.

In the second game, Rain or Shine made a successful debut in Group B after defeating Meralco, 12-8.

Photo courtesy of PBA Images

The Elasto Painters started strong, leading by as much as 6-2 before Meralco’s Kath Binamira and Janice Abesamis scored baskets to cut the lead down to 6-4.

Rubelyn Mendoza then scored on back-to-back hits before Kath Garcia made an and-one and a drive to carry Rain or Shine, 11-6.

Meralco suffered their second straight loss in Group B.

Last Wednesday:

Blackwater defeated San Miguel, 14-6, to remain unscathed in Group B. San Miguel dropped to 0-2 after the loss.

Barangay Ginebra, meanwhile, won in their debut over Mahindra, 11-7 in Group A. Mahindra absorbed their second straight loss.