Alaska frustrates Romeo, GlobalPort for 2-1 semis lead
GlobalPort vs Alaska. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Vic Manuel and Calvin Abueva lead Alaska Milk’s energy bunch that’s proving too much to handle for Globalport.
The Aces once again rode high on the energy and effort of their super second group as they whipped the Globalport Batang Pier, 82-69, for the crucial 2-1 lead in their Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals at the MOA Arena Friday night.
Manuel, Abueva, RJ Jazul, Chris Banchero and Dondon Hontiveros formed the group that dealt the Batang Pier tremendous beating as they did in their 100-76 win in Game Two.
And the Aces vowed they would do their best to put the Batang Pier in a deeper hole in Game Four back at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
“No way we’re gonna be content, we’re not yet there,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
The Alaska shock-troopers worked on things needed to be done from the team’s sluggish start then after the Batang Pier charged from a double-digit deficit to surge ahead, 57-54, early in the fourth quarter.
From the 54-57 count, Jazul, Hontiveros and Manuel teamed up in a 19-3 attack to thrust Alaska 73-60 up with five minutes left to play.
And there’s no stopping Alaska from running away with the win especially as Globalport seemed to lose poise and composure in the battle.
Terrence Romeo drew a second technical foul for an outright ejection with 6:37 left to play. Rico Maierhofer joined him to an early exit after picking up his sixth and final foul with 4:09 to go. Billy Mamaril, meanwhile, wasn’t able to return after complaining of a back pain in the third quarter.
“Huge defensive effort from us. It’s not easy guarding those guys,” said the Alaska bench chieftain.
“Other than the third quarter in this game, in the last two games, our defensive energy has been there,” Compton added.
From defense the Aces derived their offense. The Alaska energy guys did.
Manuel top scored with 16 points, Abueva collected 15 rebounds and nine markers, Jazul completed a double-double game with 12 points and 10 rebounds while Banchero and Hontiveros added 10 and nine points, respectively.
Another key contribution by Jazul was getting under Romeo’s skin.
Both teams struggled badly on offense in the first half, with the Aces banking on some energy and firepower provided by their reserves to take the half at 36-26.
Abueva, Manuel, Hontiveros, Jazul and Banchero checked in earlier than usual, sparking a decisive attack that gave Alaska a 26-13 lead from 3-11 down.
Alaska preserved a 10-point advantage at the turn with the Aces faring better in a duel of floundering teams in the first 24 minutes of play.
The Aces converted only 36 percent (15-of-41) of their shots while the Batang Pier were worse with a 26-percent clip (11-of-42).
The scores:
ALASKA 82 – Manuel 16, Jazul 12, Banchero 10, Casio 10, Abueva 9, Hontiveros 9, Exciminiano 4, Baguio 3, Menk 3, Baclao 2, Dela Cruz 2, Thoss 2, Dela Rosa 0.
GLOBALPORT 69 – Romeo 17, Pringle 12, Kramer 11, Washington 7, Sumang 6, Yeo 6, Jensen 5, Maierhofer 5, Mamaril 0, Peña 0, Semerad 0, Uyloan 0.
Quarters: 26-13, 36-26, 53-53, 82-69
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