Cory Jefferson has always been a steady presence for the Alaska Aces in the Commissioner’s Cup, but on Sunday night against a gutsy Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, he showed that he can also take the lead role.
With the Elasto Painters hungry to upend the now-league leaders Aces, it was the 6-foot-9 American that struck the dagger. He hit a booming triple with 30 ticks to go to lift Alaska up two, 101-99 — the beginning of the end for Rain or Shine
Four clutch free throws by guard JVee Casio in the waning seconds iced the game in Alaska’s favor, but if it had not been for that right wing triple by Jefferson, their aim of keeping their immaculate record could have been on tatters.
“That’s what we want to see from him,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton of his reinforcement.
“It’s good to see him knock down shots.”
And for the former Brooklyn Nets player, who finished the game with his career-best 41 markers on 17-of-32 shooting, it was the support provided by his teammates that truly helped him take his game higher.
“My teammates are a big part of that, keeping my confidence up,” said Jefferson, who also had 14 caroms. “I started out the first one with an airball, but my teammates know that I can shoot it and kept telling me to just shoot.
“They kept my confidence up and I just shot the ball.”
The Washington native has consistently shown what he can bring to the table, as he is now averaging 31.75 points and 13.25 rebounds. Asked if there is still more to show, Jefferson shared that he will just stick to do what he has to do.
“I wouldn’t say anything more. We’ll just continue what we’ve been doing, try to help my team, try to hit the open shots when they’re there, find the open man if there’s a double, and just continue to try to play solid defense,” he vowed.
As is always mentioned, Jefferson was just Alaska’s replacement import. But he has been playing like he has spent a lot of time with the team. And for that, he has nothing to thank more than his teammates.
“That’s really on the team. They made it really easy for me, talking to me and telling me where to go.
“I’m still messing up things there, but they’re not really getting on me. They helped me to adjust a lot faster,” said Jefferson.
The Aces now sit atop the standings with an unscathed 4-0 record, but Jefferson insists that there is still a long way to go in the Commissioner’s Cup, and that the team still has a lot to work for the long haul.
“It’s still early in the season. We still have a lot to work on,” said Jefferson.
“Happy to be 4-0, we’ll enjoy it for the night and continue working on it after today.”
