Alaska put an end to their two-game skid in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, sending the NLEX Road Warriors to their third consecutive loss, 100-87, Wednesday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Aces had built a big lead in the second period, before the Road Warriors rallied and knocked within three in the third. But Alaska responded with a 20-4 rally en route to a 77-58 lead early in the fourth, which they kept the rest of the way.
Six Milkmen finished in double figures in the win that hiked their card to 2-2. Jeron Teng led the pack with 20 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field, on top of 15 rebounds, four assists, and a steal against three turnovers.
“I looked up the scoreboard and saw five guys in double figures. We had six. That’s really how we wanna play,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton.
Chris Banchero supplied 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists in the victory. Meanwhile, the troika of Jvee Casio, Simon Enciso, and Carl Cruz chipped in 10 markers each on a combined 12-of-23 shooting from the field.
The Aces spoiled the PBA return of import Tony Mitchell.
Mitchell – whose return stalled last Saturday when NLEX lost to NorthPort Batang Pier, 79-83, due to documentation issues – finished with 34 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and one block to lead the Road Warriors.
Poy Erram had 16 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.
NLEX played without head coach Yeng Guiao, since the veteran tactician took a leave of absence. Guiao has had a busy schedule in the past months, including coaching Gilas Pilipinas and the midterm elections last May.
Alaska will next play the debuting Magnolia Hotshots next Wednesday, June 5, at SMART Araneta Coliseum. Meanwhile, NLEX will look for their first win against the Columbian Dyip this Saturday, June 2, still at MoA Arena.
The Scores:
Alaska 100 – Teng 20, Banchero 17, Daniels 17, Casio 10, Cruz 10, Enciso 10, Pascual 7, Thoss 6, Racal 3, Exciminiano 0, Potts 0.
NLEX 87 – Mitchell 34, Erram 16, Tiongson 10, Ighalo 10, Galanza 6, Soyud 6, Taulava 2, Tallo 2, Magat 1, Baguio 0, Fonacier 0, Rios 0, Lao 0, Varilla 0.
Quarterscores: 22-17, 46-35, 74-58, 100-87.
