Robbie Herndon caught fire to lead Alaska to a 115-100 win over Blackwater in a tuneup in preparation for the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup, Friday at Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.
The Fil-Am guard erupted in the third canto, scoring 14 in the Aces’ telling 16-1 blitz. That then turned their slim three-point advantage to a wide 84-66 lead six seconds prior to the period’s end.
The Milkmen would never relinquish their hold of the driver’s seat afterwards. They even enjoyed a lead as high as 21 points, 101-80, following Vic Manuel’s jumper with 6:49 remaining in the game.
Herndon, who arrived at Alaska during the middle of the 2019 Governors’ Cup, finished with a game-high 21 points.
“Robbie has always had that skill,” lauded coach Jeffrey Cariaso of the 26-year-old Herndon. “Kilala natin siya as a guy who can really light it up and get hot, mabigyan lang siya ng opportunity.
“I was more impressed with the fact na naka-shoot siya, na maski sunud-sunod, it was through our execution, it was through extra passing. If we execute like that always, good things happen,” he continued.
Manuel made his presence felt in the victory with 17 points. Fellow frontcourter Abu Tratter produced 14 points, while new acquisition Mike DiGregorio supplied 11 points.
Rookie Jaycee Marcelino also chimed in 11 markers, with five Aces finishing in double figures in the win.
“Okay naman, good first game. Nakita na namin ‘yung kailangan pa namin iimprove — number one, conditioning. Being in game shape. But we’re slowly gonna get there come March 1,” said Cariaso.
Mike Tolomia had 19 points to lead Blackwater, who actually opened the game with eight straight points before Alaska caught up and got its groove to register the 15-point win.
Chris Javier produced 13 points, Jon Gabriel made 12 points, while Don Trollano added 11 in the loss.
Mac Belo and Carl Cruz were with the Elite in the tuneup but did not play, since the two are currently recovering from their injuries. Rookie Maurice Shaw was absent to attend to personal matters.
The Scores:
Alaska 115 – Herndon 21, Manuel 17, Tratter 14, DiGregorio 11, Marcelino 11, Casio 9, Ayaay 9, Galliguez 8, Brondial 7, Ebona 5, Racal 3, Thoss 0, Andrada 0.
Blackwater 100 – Tolomia 19, Javier 13, Gabriel 12, Trollano 11, Sumang 10, Bitoon 7, Cañaleta 5, Dario 5, Escoto 5, Desiderio 4, Dennison 4, Cani 2, Salem 2.
Quarterscores: 29-28, 52-53, 84-69, 115-100.
