The Alaska Aces turned back the stubborn challenge of the Mahindra Enforcers, 98-94, to gain a share of the lead in the 2015-2016 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup Friday, Nov. 6 (early Saturday morning, Manila time) at the Al Wasl Sports Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The Aces threatened to pull away several times but the Enforcers came back time and again as they threatened to post a king-sized upset.
Calvin Abueva split his charities to break an 87-all deadlock to push Alaska ahead by one point, 88-87.
Mahindra’s LA Revilla then dribbled past Vic Manuel to scoot in for an open layup attempt which he missed. Abueva then collared the defensive rebound and sued for a timeout to set up Alaska’s next offense.
Jvee Casio missed a layup attempt but Manuel kept the ball in play as Alaska retained possession. Instead of trying to waste away the seconds Casio surprised the Mahindra defenders as he drove in to score on a layup to push Alaska ahead by three points, 90-87.
Aldrech Ramos missed a triple attempt for Mahindra and Abueva collared another defensive rebound. At the offensive end Manuel scored from underneath the goal to virtually seal the game for Alaska, 92-87.
Revilla almost won the game by his lonesome. He drilled a triple, scored on a jumper and a layup. But free throws by Casio and Cyrus Baguio kept the Aces in front. Casio and Abueva converted a free throw each to finalize the count at 98-94.
Abueva finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds to book Best Player of the Game honors. Manuel scored a team-high 17 points and grabbed nine boards.
The Aces tallied their third consecutive victory to gain a tie at the top of the standings with the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters (3-0). The Enforcers (0-3) endured their third consecutive loss.
The other teams include the NLEX Road Warriors (2-0), the San Miguel Beermen (2-1), Barako Bull Energy (1-1), the GlobalPort Batang Pier (1-1), the Talk N Text Tropang Texters (1-1), the Blackwater Elite (1-2), the Star Hotshots (1-2), Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (0-2) and the Meralco Bolts (0-2).
Mahindra rookie Bradwyn Guinto grabbed 19 rebounds, the most by a rookie since June Mar Fajardo did the trick two seasons ago.
Alaska rookie Marion Magat converted back-to-back baskets from just underneath the goal to go with a follow up by Cyrus Baguio as the Aces posted a 13-point advantage, 39-26, with 9:03 to go in the second quarter.
But the Enforcers would not be put away so easily. Mark Yee and Revilla took up the scoring cudgels as Mahindra cut the Alaska lead to just three points, 41-38, with 4:56 to go in the half.
The Aces then finished strong with Manuel and Abueva leading the charge. Alaska ended the half with a 12-2 run to turn a slim 41-38 lead to a rousing 53-40 advantage at halftime.
The scores:
ALASKA ACES 98 – Vic Manuel 17, Calvin Abueva 15, Jvee Casio 12, Cyrus Baguio 8, Sonny Thoss 7, Rome Dela Rosa 7, Eric Menk 7, Tony Dela Cruz 6, Dondon Hontiveros 6, RJ Jazul 5, Chris Banchero 4, Marion Magat 4, Ping Exciminiano 0, Nonoy Baclao 0.
MAHINDRA ENFORCERS 94 – LA Revilla 19, Richard Yee 17, KG Canaleta 12, Aldrech Ramos 12, Hyram Bagatsing 8, Bradwyn Guinto 6, Nard Pinto 5, Papot Paredes 5, Eddie Laure 4, Paolo Hubalde 4, Josh Webb 2, Manny Pacquiao 0, Rich Alvarez 0, Junric Baloria 0
Quarter scores: 31-22, 53-40, 70-66, 98-94.
Alaska Aces forward Calvin Abueva (left) fires a jumpshot over Mahindra Enforcers (then Kia Sorento) forward Josh Webb (right) in this file photo. The Alaska Aces beat the Mahindra Enforcers, 98-94, to gain a share of the lead in the 2015-16 PBA Philippine Cup at the Al Wasl Sports Club in Dubai, UAE.
Alaska Aces forward Vic Manuel (center) scores from underneath the goal against the Mahindra Enforcers (then Kia Sorento) in this file photo The Alaska Aces beat the Mahindra Enforcers, 98-94, to gain a share of the lead in the 2015-16 PBA Philippine Cup at the Al Wasl Sports Club in Dubai, UAE.