Alaska started its last dance on a triumphant note as it hacked out an 80-74 decision versus Rain or Shine in an emotional 2022 PBA Governors’ Cup encounter, Thursday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Olu Ashaolu and Maverick Ahanmisi delivered the important buckets down the stretch as the Aces emerged victorious in their first game since the team’s announcement that it is leaving the league after the conference.
“There’s a lot of anxiety, there’s a lot of uncertainty, so right now what I’m telling the guys is to kinda just remain in the moment,” said coach Jeff Cariaso.
Ashaolu finished with 23 points and 17 rebounds, while Ahanmisi produced 14 markers as Alaska collected its second win in a row to improve to 4-2, good enough to climb to the third spot of the team standings.
The two bannered their side’s fourth-quarter fightback, combing for half of an 8-0 run that flipped a three-point deficit to a 72-67 lead with 4:57 to go.
They were also there to respond right away when the Elasto Painters threatened. After Andrei Caracut cut the deficit to just two after a three-pointer, Ashaolu made a tough tip-in seconds later to make it 76-72 with 1:12 left.
And when Beau Belga hit a triple of his own with 35 ticks on the clock, Ahanmisi struck the dagger against the defense of the veteran 6-foot-6 center to inflate their lead to five, 79-74, with just 13.1 to spare.
Robbie Herndon went on to ice the game with 7.8 seconds left following a split free throw off a foul from Belga, who was also assessed with a technical foul together with the returning Bryan Faundo for verbal altercation.
“So, where are we now? We are in a conference. We are about to play Rain or Shine, we play ’em tonight, next game is Terrafirma, so just stay in the moment. And I think for tonight, guys passed the test,” said Cariaso.
Alaska will now put its focus on the Terrafirma Dyip (2-4) on Saturday at 4:00 p.m., where it hopes to continue its winning ways.
Meanwhile, Henry Walker finished with 25 points on a 7-of-30 clip from the field and 13 rebounds to lead Rain or Shine.
Rookie Mike Nieto was his only support with 13 points and seven rebounds in the defeat that dropped their record to 3-4.
The Elasto Painters will have a chance to bounce back right away as they battle the erstwhile unbeaten Meralco (4-1) on Sunday at 4:00 p.m.
The Scores:
Alaska 80 – Ashaolu 23, Ahanmisi 14, Tratter 11, Herndon 9, Teng 7, DiGregorio 7, Faundo 3, Adamos 2, Bulanadi 2, Racal 2, Tolomia 0.
Rain or Shine 74 – Walker 25, Nieto 13, Caracut 8, Mocon 6, Belga 5, Borboran 5, Santillan 4, Torres 3, Asistio 3, Jackson 1, Ponferada 1, Tolentino 0, Guinto 0, Norwood 0.
Quarterscores: 26-16, 39-39, 60-60, 80-74
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