The Alaska Aces took advantage of a Terrence Romeo-less Globalport Batang Pier en route to a wire-to-wire, 107-79 victory in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday evening, at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
“The best scorer in the league didn’t play,” said Aces head coach Alex Compton regarding the absence of Romeo, who was out due to an unspecified illness.
“[But still] I was happy. It was good,” Compton added.
Import Corey Jefferson, who had taken the place of original reinforcement Octavius Ellis just a few days ago, served as the Aces’ lynchpin on offense, as he produced 28 points on 11-of-19 shooting along with 14 rebounds.
“I think he’s pretty good. It seems like he’s a good guy. He’s a good fit for Alaska,” said Compton of his replacement import.
The Aces had their first taste of a double-digit advantage in the first quarter, 29-19, after a Chris Exciminiano triple. From then on, it was all Alaska, who even led by as much as 23, 79-56, after a Jake Pascual lay-up with 42.1 seconds left in the third canto.
Globalport still tried to come back though. Baskets from import Sean Williams and KG Cañaleta narrowed the gap to just 14, 88-74. But the Aces replied with 13 straight points capped by a Kevin Racal corner trey to fully shut down the Batang Pier, 101-74, with 2:50 left.
Abueva chipped in 15 markers despite going 7-of-16 from the field along with seven boards, while Sonny Thoss added 13. Pascual supplied 12 points in the win.
Stanley Pringle led Globalport with 27 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Williams backed him up with a double-double of 18 points and 19 rebounds.
Shooting and ball security proved to be Globalport’s issues in the loss. They only shot 37 percent after converting just 30-of-79, and their turnovers were too much, as they committed 27. As for the Aces’ side, they shot better inside the paint, 50-40, and scored better off second chances, 16-5.
Alaska will play Blackwater next on March 22, Wednesday, 4:15 PM at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum, while Globalport will face Star in an out-of-town game next Saturday, March 25, 5:00 PM at the Mindanao Civic Center Gym.
The Scores:
Alaska (107) – Jefferson 28, Abueva 15, Thoss 13, Pascual 12, Galliguez 9, Banchero 8, Exciminiano 7, Enciso 6, Magat 4, Racal 3, Dela Cruz 2, Mendoza 0, Andrada 0.
Globalport (79) – Pringle 27, Williams 18, Quinahan 8, Canaleta 6, Cortez 6, Pessumal 5, Mamaril 4, Maierhofer 3, Aban 2, Pennisi 0, Paredes 0.
Quarterscores: 32-24, 59-42, 81-58, 107-79
