ALASKA SUBDUES SMB
Henry Walker poured in 27 points in the first three quarters and then the Alaska locals took over in the payoff period as the Aces whipped the San Miguel Beermen, 94-87, on opening night of the PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva and Cyrus Baguio came through with big plays in the homestretch, preserving Walker’s near triple double numbers in his PBA debut.
The two teams, playoff top seeds upset in the quarterfinals in the last conference, actually figured in a neck-and-neck battle until the Beermen faded out, going scoreless in the last 4:37 of play.
The Beermen were ahead 87-86 before conking out, thus staying on a slump since being shocked by the Air21 Express in the Commissioner’s Cup quarters.
Reggie Williams’ 42-point explosion marked by seven-of-12 three-pointers failed to arrest SMB’s skid.
Abueva fished a foul from June Mar Fajardo and then knocked in a charity to tie the count at 87-all, before Thoss scored off Williams as Alaska surged ahead and never trailed again.
“We’re last last conference in making points, and it’s nice to see our team score 94 while holding San Miguel to 87,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.
“Both teams were knocked out in the quarters last conference and obviously both wanted to win. Sonny Thoss played with his heart out and proved to be a big reason why we won the game,” Trillo also said.
Thoss led all local scorers with 18 points and nearly got a double-double with nine rebounds.
“He had a tough match-up versus June Mar (Fajardo), but he stayed there as a steady presence for us,” said Trillo.
A major force through the first three period, Walker finished with a near triple-double job with 27 markers, 13 boards and nine assists.
“Henry suffered cramps and we needed to sit him out for some time in the second half,” said Trillo.
It didn’t pose a problem for the Aces as Thoss, Abueva, Baguio and Gabby Espinas held the fort for the team.
Williams, meanwhile, was cool and prolific until the last five minutes of the game.
A five-year NBA veteran who averaged 15.2 points a game with the Golden State Warriors in the 2009-10 campaign, Williams came through with 42 points on 14-of-23 overall field goals and 7-of-10 free throws.
“Williams made fantastic shots,” said Trillo.
The Aces, however, stood their ground with fantastic effort on both ends throughout. (SB)
The scores:
ALASKA 94 – Walker 27, Thoss 18, Abueva 12, Espinas 10, Baguio 7, Casio 6, Jazul 6, Hontiveros 6, Manuel 2.
SAN MIGUEL BEER 87 – Williams 42, Fajardo 13, Lassiter 8, Maierhofer 6, Tubid 6, Mercado 5, Santos 3, Lutz 2, Chua 2, Lanete 0, Kramer 0, Ross 0.
Quarterscores: 20-18, 43-40, 69-70, 94-87
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
