Stunning execution on both ends of the floor right from the get-go aided the Alaska Aces to a huge victory over rivals Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 101-86, in the 2017 OPPO PBA Philippine Cup, Sunday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
This is Alaska’a third straight win, ifting their slate to 3-2 and creating a logjam at third place.
RJ Jazul led Alaska with 16 markers off five triples. Calvin Abueva had 12 on an efficient 6-for-10 from the field, while Chris Banchero and Vic Manuel each supplied 10.
Aces head coach Alex Compton praised his team’s defensive effort tonight, which helped them keep Ginebra at bay all through out the match.
“With our defensive energy, I’m so proud of the guys,” said Compton about the way his wards had defended the Gin Kings, which saw them force nine steals and push Ginebra to commit 23 turnovers.
The Gin Kings were still in contention with eight minutes into the third frame, 64-53, until Alaska went on a scoring onslaught sparked by Abueva, Banchero, Ping Exciminiano, and RJ Jazul, to post the game’s widest gap at 30, 92-62, with 11:04 in the final canto.
Ginebra were able to chip away the huge deficit down to just 15, 98-83, after a split by Jervy Cruz with 3:18 left. They had chances to trim the lead further, but their shots both from the inside and from beyond-the-arc missed their’ target, helping Alaska secure the lopsided affair.
“We’re known for pressing, and in the half court we did a good job of scrambling and taking away shots,” said Compton regarding their pressing defense that made Ginebra convert just 30 of 76 shots
The Barangay were led by rookie wingman Kevin Ferrer with 19 markers highlighted by five treys in tonight’s loss, which sends them to a 2-3 slate.
Alaska’s offense were on fire as they converted 40 of their 78 attempts from the field for a 51 percent clip, with 12 of those coming from rainbow country.
The Aces’ lack of legit bigs in their frontcourt was exposed, as Ginebra out-rebounded them with six boards, 46-40. However, the Gin Kings lost the battle in assists, 27-21.
Alaska (3-2) will face NLEX Road Warriors next this Friday, December 23, 4:15 PM at Philsports Arena in Pasig City. Ginebra (2-3), meanwhile, look to claim another win against Star Hotshots in the Manila Clasico affair on Christmas Day, December 25, 5:15 PM at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan
The Scores:
Alaska (101) – Jazul 16, Abueva 12, Banchero 10, Manuel 10, Exciminiano 8, Cruz 7, Casio 7, Racal 7, Dela Cruz 6, Mendoza 6, Pascual 6, Hontiveros 4, Magat 2, Galliguez 0,
Ginebra (86) – Ferrer 19, Aguilar 12, Devance 12, Mercado 8, Thompson 8, Marcelo 7, Cruz 7, Taha 6, Mariano 5, Ellis 2, Caguioa 0, Jamito 0, Tenorio 0.
Quarterscores: 27-15, 59-44, 89-60, 101-86 .
