ALASKA SCORES
FOR the most part of the first three quarters Air21 import Herve Lamizana managed to stifle Alaska counterpart Rob Dozier.
Then Dozier asserted his might during winning time in leading the Aces to an 88-78 victory Monday, snapping them out of an alarming rut in the PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The reigning conference Best Import scored eight of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, powering Alaska’s crucial break from an otherwise close contest and into the win that comes as a breath of fresh air following back-to-back losses.
“We just had to have some guys buying in on what we’re doing defensively,” said coach Luigi Trillo after his Aces improved to a 2-3 slate overall.
“(In our) past games, we were breaking down in terms of gameplan,” added Trillo. “(Tonight) we played our defense.”
Dozier got a lot of help, especially from RJ Jazul and Sonny Thoss, who combined for 14 points in the final frame and helped fuel Alaska’s decisive surge from the 10th and last deadlock at 70-all.
While Dozier was taking the lead for his team, the same cannot be said of Lamizana as Air21 dropped to an even 2-2 record.
Lamizana finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds, but lost the ball and missed a wide open layup that inadvertently sparked Alaska’s charge. He also went just 2-for-4 from the stripe inside the final 4:15.
It was not just Lamizana, however.The Express missed a total 10 free throws and made just 28 of 70 field goal attempts that caused them to squander a 48-41 lead.
Gabby Espinas and Cyrus Baguio, who was suffering from a bum stomach, scored only two points apiece but others stepped up.
Thoss wound up with 14 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots, Calvin Abueva and Jazul came off the bench to combine for 23 points and Jayvee Casio also notched 10 points.
“In our first few games we were playing with a little frustration, with our guys missing their shots,” related Trillo.
“We just kept on reminding them that this is not a sprint, this is a long season. We have time to regroup.” (NC)
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