There seems to be no stopping the Alaska Aces this 2018, as they booked their fifth straight victory with a 93-75 demolition of the Phoenix Fuel Masters, Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Aces, who have now posted their best streak since the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup, improved to 5-2, while the Fuel Masters have dropped 3-4.
Star forward Calvin Abueva — who missed last Saturday’s game versus the Blackwater Elite as he left before the match due to personal reasons — powered the Milkmen with a double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds along with four steals.
Abueva was noticeably wearing a new jersey number, having ditched his old number 8 for number 88. The Beast has been wearing jersey number 8 since his college days with San Sebastian Stags in the NCAA.
Phoenix were still in it in the first few minutes, but when Alaska tasted their first double-digit lead, 21-10, in the last 40 seconds of the opening frame, the Fuel Masters seemingly conceded, as they lagged the rest of the way.
As a result, the Aces were already leading by 24 points, 48-24, at the half.
“Looking back in the first half, we gave up 24 points. It’s just one of those halves where I thought our defense had a lot of teeth. That was really the story of the game,” opined Alaska head coach Alex Compton.
The Fuel Masters threatened in the fourth by cutting the huge gap to just 14, 57-71, but the Aces made it their last hurrah through an 11-0 run to reestablish a 20 plus-point wall, 82-57, with six minutes left.
From there, Alaska were on cruise control en route to the victory.
“It’s more of like maintaining the lead and not let them get too close within striking distance. They had a good run to start the fourth quarter then we just have to settle down and change some stuff. It’s a big win for us,” added Compton.
Chris Banchero top-scored for the Aces with 22 points alongside five rebounds and four assists. Vic Manuel and Noy Baclao had 10 points apiece, with the latter adding seven caroms and two blocks to his name.
Sophomore gunner Matthew Wright led Phoenix with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and five dimes. Jeff Chan supplied 14 points and four steals, while rookie Jason Perkins scored 12 points and grabbed three boards.
Alaska will look to make it six in a row versus the GlobalPort Batang Pier on Sunday, February 4, 4:30 PM at Ynares Center in Antipolo, while Phoenix will aim to bounce back versus the TNT Katropa next Wednesday, February 7, 4:30 PM still at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
Alaska 93 – Banchero 22, Abueva 21, Manuel 10, Baclao 10, Enciso 10, Racal 6, Casio 5, Cruz 3, Thoss 2, Galliguez 2, Magat 2, Potts 0, Teng 0, Exciminiano 0.
Phoenix 75 – Wright 16, Chan 14, Perkins 12, Chua 7, Kramer 6, Mendoza 5, Alolino 4, Revilla 3, Jazul 3, Intal 3, Wilson 2, Guevarra 0, Dehesa 0, Eriobu 0.
Quarterscores: 23-12, 48-24,68-50, 93-75
