ALASKA HANDS AIR21 ANOTHER OT HEARTBREAK
Alaska Milk overcome a sluggish start, cranking up in the third period and going on to outlast Air21, 97-91, in overtime in the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
The Aces survived a mere 26 first-half output with newly activated rookie Chris Exciminiano helping provide energy and firepower in the second half as Alaska notched a second win against three losses.
Exciminiano, a former FEU Tamaraw selected by Alaska in the second round of the last PBA Draft, made an impact in his pro debut, going 4-of-4 from the three-point area and 2-of-3 from the two-point zone.
The 6-foot-1 guard sparked a crucial Alaska run in the third period although it was the pair of Calvin Abueva and RJ Jazul who delivered in overtime, dealing the Express a fifth loss in as many outings.
The hard-luck Air21 squad dropped an overtime battle for the second straight game.
Just like versus San Mig Coffee the last time, the Express had a chance to win in regulation but blew it.
After Sonny Thoss tied the game at 80-all on a post move with time 33 ticks to go, Asi Taulava muffed his own post attack then Macmac Cardona failed to score on a drive.
In overtime, Alaska immediately seized control on a short jumper by Tony dela Cruz and a triple by RJ Jazul.
The Express still managed to catch up at 87-all, but Jazul and Abueva took over the game in the last two minutes.
“(We’ve gone through) three straight tough games. T’was nice to battle, compete and find ways to win,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.
“Our defense was good but we’re not playing to our identity early on. (We’re doing) one pass, one shot,” Luigi also said. “In the second half, we’re more patient, getting more guys involved.”
Abueva collected solid all-around numbers with 19 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block while Exciminiano also came through with two rebounds and one steal on top of 16 markers.
Jazul finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and two assists while Gabby Espinas had 11 markers and the same number of caroms.
Both teams came out flat engaging in a low-scoring first half duel that ended on Air21’s favor at 29-26.
Shooting a little better early on, the Express took the opening quarter, 16-9, and set the pace through the first 34 minutes of play.
Playing catch up from the get-go, the Aces drew even, 45-all, on a layup by Jazul and pulled ahead, 48-45, on Exciminiano’s third triple in the night.
The scores:
ALASKA 97 – Abueva 19, Exciminiano 16, Jazul 13, Espinas 11, Thoss 10, Casio 7, Baguio 7, Dela Cruz 6, Belasco 4, Ramos 4, Hontiveros 0, Eman 0.
AIR21 91 – Canaleta 22, Manuel 20, Custodio 13, Cardona 12, Espiritu 10, Taulava 5, Yeo 4, Sharma 4, Jaime 1, Arboleda 0, Ritualo 0, Camson 0.
Quarters: 9-16, 26-29, 52-49, 80-80, 97-91
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